Police departments in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are implementing automated license plate readers, known as Flock cameras, to observe vehicles on public roads. These cameras capture images of license plates and can gather details such as the vehicle's make, model, and color. They also identify features like bike racks or trailers, aiding law enforcement in differentiating between vehicles. In Tarrant County, there are at least 648 of these cameras in use.
Flock Safety, the company that developed this technology, states that the cameras are solely focused on vehicles and do not collect any information regarding the individuals inside. They do not use facial recognition technology and are not meant to detect speed or issue traffic tickets.
The data gathered by the Flock cameras is kept for a period of 30 days before it is automatically deleted. Access to this information is limited to police departments during this time, which also manage who can search the database. Each search is recorded and linked to the individual who performed it, ensuring accountability. The data is not available in a public database, and police departments can set their own policies on sharing it with outside parties.
As the deployment of these cameras increases, Texas drivers are encouraged to understand their capabilities, especially concerning privacy and data retention policies.
Fort Worth is about 62 miles southwest of Anna.
