The Liberty Hill City Council has unanimously voted to end its contract with Flock Safety, a move that will lead to the immediate removal of all automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras under the city's control. The decision, reported by CBS Austin, also prevents the contract from renewing in October and bars the city from using similar mass surveillance technology in the future. For drivers in Liberty Hill, this means a significant reduction in automated surveillance on city streets.
Mayor Pro Tem Diane Williams introduced the motion, citing concerns about potential misuse of the data collected by the cameras, despite acknowledging law enforcement benefits. The vote was 7-0.
What does this mean for drivers in Liberty Hill?
Drivers in Liberty Hill will soon encounter fewer ALPRs. The council's directive explicitly calls for the immediate removal of all cameras under the city's jurisdiction. This action reflects growing public and governmental scrutiny regarding data privacy and the scope of surveillance technology. For those interested in understanding where other cameras might be located, FlockDetour's map at /map provides updated information.
This decision aligns Liberty Hill with several other Central Texas communities that have recently ended or limited their use of ALPR cameras:
- Bastrop
- Leander
- Manor
- Pflugerville
Additionally, Elgin police have paused their use of Flock Safety data, and Austin and San Marcos stopped using these cameras in 2025. The Texas Department of Public Safety has also stated it will not expand its existing Flock network, and Governor Greg Abbott has blocked state agencies from spending further funds on the technology.
Why did Liberty Hill end the contract?
The primary reason for the council's decision was concern over how data from ALPRs is collected, stored, and shared. Mayor Pro Tem Williams stated her fear that the potential harm from misuse of the technology outweighs its benefits. This concern echoes broader debates about privacy in an era of increasing digital surveillance.
For drivers, understanding how these systems operate and the policies governing them is increasingly important. More background on ALPRs can be found in our /learn section. The immediate next step for Liberty Hill is the physical removal of the cameras, which is expected to happen promptly following the council's directive.