The Dallas Morning News reported that a majority of Dallas City Council members signaled on Wednesday that they want to keep the city's Flock Safety cameras. The vote was nonbinding. It rejected a suggestion from council member Adam Bazaldua to cut $1.5 million for Flock during debate over amendments to the city manager's proposed $5.6 billion budget.
Did Dallas council vote to cut Flock funding?
No. The council did not adopt the amendment. Council members Jaime Resendez and Paula Blackmon voted for it.
Council member Cara Mendelsohn, who chairs the public safety committee, praised the technology as an important part of the city's violent crime plan. She likened the amendment to "defund the police 2.0."
Bazaldua raised concerns about the department keeping Flock data for one year, and about outside agencies, including immigration enforcement, being able to access the camera network. He later asked whether the department could work with companies other than Flock. "We've had a lot of cheerleading for one particular vendor," he said.
Council member Bill Roth first signaled he would vote for the amendment. After nearly an hour of remarks from colleagues and police, he said he would support keeping the technology. He said he did not fully understand how the cameras were used or what guardrails were in place.
Why are Dallas's Flock cameras being deactivated?
The governor paused state funding for the technology. Police said the cameras were supported by state grant funding. Dallas police announced on Tuesday that they would deactivate 321 cameras later this month.
It also says the governor's pause prompted police to deactivate nearly half the city's network this month. The Dallas Morning News does not reconcile the two statements, so the number that has been turned off so far is unclear.
Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, is seeking a fourth term. His Democratic opponent, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin, has criticized the technology as part of an invasive surveillance network.
What changes for drivers in Dallas?
The Dallas Morning News says the cameras are being deactivated. It does not say the city plans to remove any cameras or end its Flock contract.
The council's vote suggests that $1.5 million for Flock will stay in the proposed budget. The Dallas Morning News says the future of the city's camera network remains uncertain. Cameras run by a neighboring city, the county, the state, a business or an HOA are not part of this story.
The council is expected to vote on a final budget on September 16. To see what is mapped near you, check the camera map. For background on the technology, read how plate readers work.