Statement from Hays County Law Enforcement Association and CLEAT Regarding FLOCK Decision

HAYS COUNTY, Texas—The Hays County Law Enforcement Association and Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) are deeply disappointed in the recent decision by the County Commissioners to yield to pressure from activist groups and move forward with eliminating the use of Flock Safety cameras in our communities.

Flock cameras have proven to be a highly effective and invaluable tool in our efforts to combat crime, locate stolen vehicles, and apprehend dangerous offenders. Their use has directly contributed to solving numerous cases, enhancing public safety, and providing peace of mind to residents throughout Hays County.

By removing this technology, the Commissioners are not only undermining the hard work of law enforcement professionals but are also putting politics above public safety. 

Even more concerning, they are allowing the dangers and consequences we’ve seen unfold in Austin, where similar decisions have led to increased crime and reduced public confidence in safety, to begin taking root here in Hays County. That is unacceptable.

Fourth Amendment case law shows that license plate readers (LPRs) do not constitute a warrantless search as they capture images of license plates in public and do not track movements of an individual or vehicle. Recent media comments stating there is a “growing list” of communities moving away from LPRs are blatantly false. For example, in the City of Dallas, LPRs have been utilized since 2013 with great success. So much so that just this year, they increased the number of cameras by 363. Many other cities across the state and here in Central Texas have also added LPRs to their communities to combat crime and enhance public safety. LPRs have been referred to as a force multiplier by Chiefs and Sheriffs as they point to real-time information provided to their officers and deputies, enhancing response times as well as officer and public safety.

Our communities should not be used as testing grounds for activist-driven agendas that compromise safety and limit the tools we need to do our jobs effectively. Decisions about public safety must be driven by facts, data, and what works to keep our neighborhoods secure.

We urge the Commissioners to reconsider this decision and to stand with the men and women who serve and protect Hays County every day.

We remain committed to the safety and well-being of our residents and will continue to use every available resource to fulfill our mission, despite this setback.

Hays County Law Enforcement Association (HCLEA)
Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)

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