El Paso City Council votes to remove Flock cameras

UPDATE (12:39 p.m.): El Paso City Council voted unanimously (8-0) to direct the city manager to ensure the removal of all Flock Safety ALPR cameras and related hardware on city property. City Manager Dionne Mack has 60 days to ensure the removal, according to the agenda item.

City Rep. Canales offered an amendment that, if the hardware isn't removed within 60 days, fully opaque bags will cover the hardware for an additional 30 days.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- On Tuesday, the El Paso City Council will consider removing Flock cameras. If the item is approved, removal of the cameras and related equipment would happen within 60 days.

A second agenda item directs the city manager not to sign, renew or extend any contract or arrangement with Flock or similar companies with fixed license plate-reading cameras.

The discussion of removal came after City Representatives Chris Canales and Josh Acevedo introduced both agenda items. If the item is approved, it will require the City of El Paso to remove all Flock cameras and related equipment within 60 days.

Earlier this year, City Rep. Canales proposed the city not renew its agreement with Flock and that the city discontinue the use of networked, AI-powered Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs). The proposal failed with a 2-6 vote.

On Sept. 2, City Rep. Canales said "Flock has time and time again shown itself to be untrustworthy as a company, with its system prone to misuse and abuse."

His social media post came days after Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered all state agencies to pause funding for Flock cameras. His post also said the El Paso Police Department stopped using Flock cameras funded by the state.

EPPD Chief Pacillas said the cameras helped quicken investigations. He said the police department use the cameras "under strict oversight, limited access and rigorous privacy safeguards."

City Council opened up the mic for public comment. Many residents expressed their safety concerns about Flock cameras.

The agenda item of discussing and taking action to remove the cameras are items 25 and 26, ABC-7 is at the meeting and will provide updates.

Flock is privately owned and was founded in 2017 in Georgia.