LEANDER, Texas — A northwest Austin-area town joined a host of other Central Texas cities in voting to end its contract with an embattled automatic license plate reader (ALPR) manufacturer.
The Leander City Council decided unanimously early this morning to direct city staff to cancel its contract with Flock Safety. The Flock cameras had been in place since last year, originally leaving many residents puzzled as to what the black poles festooned with cameras and solar panels were for. Opposition to the devices grew along with their implementation, with nearby jurisdictions such as Austin, Elgin, Burnet County, San Saba County, Pflugerville …
“And Manor. Manor, for crying out loud!” one of roughly 60 registered opponents said lasst night as the meeting stretched on to the wee hours.
A vote took place at 1:04 a.m.
Opponents and skeptics had met earlier at adjacent Leander Beer Market for a rally, drawing around 50 people, sporting yellow shirts and “De-Flock Leander” yard signs
Leander Police Department personnel defended the contract, insisting it was only using the devices to scan license plate data and help solve local and area major crimes. “It will take longer to do our jobs, now,” an officer stated following the meeting, while hoping for a future solution that may not involve Flock.
Place 2 City Council member Mike Herrera said he expects the cameras to be taken down in the next working day or two
This story is developing. The opposition’s website may be viewed at DeflockLeander.org.
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