RITA COOK / Freelance Writer
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WAXAHACHIE – The Flock Safety automatic license plate reader has made its way to Ellis County and was approved in a 3-1 vote with Commissioner Louis Ponder, pct. 3, opposing the cameras at last week’s Commissioner’s Court meeting.
The item was to specifically approve TxDOT to install and maintain Flock Safety Automatic license plate cameras on public rights-of-way in Ellis County. The cameras will be installed throughout the county.
Cameras were installed recently in Midlothian, Red Oak, and Waxahachie. Ennis has applied for the cameras as well.
Sheriff Brad Norman said in his opening statement about Flock Safety cameras, “I can’t think of a time we have had a court agenda item that I have had as much phone calls and questions as this one.
“This is not surveillance; they are LP license plate readers. We got a grant from the Texas Anti-gang Unit Task Force.”
Norman reminded the commissioners they had approved the grant this past summer for the cameras.
He explained these cameras are used for many different things in law enforcement.
“They store the license plates for 30 days and are on public roadways – there is no expectation of privacy, they are not used for surveillance.”
Cameras will be installed by Flock; the resolution noted TxDOT would be the installing and maintaining entity at no cost to the county.
Norman assured the commissioners, “We have a policy in place that is approved by the Texas Crime Information Center and there are sanctions and penalties for anybody who abuses that.
“Just like criminal histories, I can’t go run someone’s criminal history just to see if they have ever been arrested before unless it is for law enforcement purposes within reason. Same type of thing.”
Ellis County Judge Todd Little said he was under the impression TxDOT would install these cameras anyway, but Norman said, “No sir, they are telling me no, they will not.”
Commissioner Kyle Butler, pct. 4, had a question to confirm the removal of the information from the LPR cameras after 30 days.
Norman confirmed yes, these cameras do not hold information for future surveillance.
Norman said his department does have the authority to take footage from the Flock Safety Cameras for both a misdemeanor and felony.
A second vote related to Flock cameras was a memorandum of understanding between the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Public Safety for the sheriff’s office to gain access to the Texas Automated License Plate Reader database.
This item passed 3-1, with Ponder voting no.
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