On Monday, October 5, 2026, the Kyle City Council voted 4-3 to cover the city's Flock Safety license plate-reading cameras. This decision follows council members' concerns about privacy, data collection, and the potential impact on public safety, as KXAN Austin reported.
This move comes as Kyle prepares to let voters decide on the future of Flock technology through a ballot measure in May 2027. Kyle joins other Central Texas cities that have re-evaluated or scaled back their use of the technology.
Why did Kyle City Council vote to cover the cameras?
Council members Yvonne Flores-Cale and Melisa Medina voiced concerns over how the data collected by the cameras is used and where it is stored. They cited feedback from residents who spoke at council meetings and shared opinions online.
Medina stated, "I’m not comfortable giving government surveillance technology an open ended approval when there are still unanswered questions about privacy, data sharing, retention, oversight, future AI capabilities, and constitutional prevention protections." Some residents, like Katy Armstrong, expressed disappointment that the council didn't terminate the contract entirely, which she believed would save money.
Not all council members agreed with covering the cameras. Lauralee Harris and Marc McKinney raised concerns that removing or covering the cameras could increase crime. They referenced past instances where Flock technology assisted law enforcement in locating stolen vehicles and missing children.
Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett confirmed that the department respects the council's direction and has taken steps to deactivate all Flock ALPR cameras and databases. He also mentioned that one of the city's Flock cameras on Kohlers Crossing was vandalized on August 8, and an investigation is ongoing.
What happens next for drivers in Kyle?
For now, the Flock cameras in Kyle will remain covered. The ultimate decision on their use will be made by voters in May 2027. This means that for at least the next several months, drivers in Kyle will not have their license plates scanned by these specific cameras.
This recent vote is a reversal from a September 5 council meeting, where a motion to cancel two of the city's three Flock Safety contracts failed by a 6-1 vote. However, at that same meeting, council members unanimously agreed to put a non-binding question about Flock technology on the May 2027 ballot.
- Current Cost: Kyle pays over $400,000 for its existing Flock contracts.
- Previous Vote: A motion to cancel two contracts failed 6-1 in September.
- Next Step: Voters will weigh in on the technology in May 2027.
Other Central Texas communities have also reconsidered their use of Flock technology. In August, the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office removed all its Flock cameras. Pflugerville also terminated its contract with Flock due to concerns about data access by various agencies. To understand more about how these systems generally operate, you can visit our /learn page.
The situation in Kyle will remain in this holding pattern until the community has its say in the upcoming election.