Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said the City of McAllen and its police department do not use Flock Safety cameras, responding publicly to concerns about the automated license plate recognition technology increasingly used by law enforcement agencies and other entities.
In a Facebook post, Villalobos sought to clarify whether McAllen participates in the Flock Safety network.
“Chill everyone!” Villalobos wrote before outlining the city’s position.
“Neither the City of McAllen nor the McAllen Police Department uses the Flock Safety camera system,” Villalobos said. “The City and Police Department do not contract with Flock Safety, subscribe to its services, own or operate Flock cameras, or otherwise participate in or have an arrangement with the Flock network.”
Flock Safety provides automated license plate recognition technology that can capture information about vehicles passing cameras. Law enforcement agencies and private organizations use such systems for purposes including criminal investigations and locating vehicles.
Villalobos emphasized that his statement applied specifically to the City of McAllen and the McAllen Police Department. He did not say that no Flock cameras exist within McAllen.
“Accordingly, any Flock cameras that may be located within McAllen are not owned or operated by the city or the McAllen Police Department,” Villalobos said.
The mayor said city officials could not identify or speak for other organizations that might independently operate the technology within their own jurisdictions or on their own property.
“We cannot speculate about which nor speak on behalf of other entities that may independently use the Flock system on properties within their jurisdiction and control,” Villalobos wrote.
The technology has drawn attention in Texas as communities and lawmakers examine automated license plate readers, data retention and access to information collected by camera networks.
Villalobos also used his Facebook statement to emphasize that law enforcement in McAllen will catch criminals regardless of whether the city uses Flock technology.
“But without regard as to whether we have Flock or not, if you commit a crime in McAllen, you will be caught,” he said.
He ended the post with a lighthearted reference to online discussion surrounding the cameras.
“I hope this provides some clarity regarding the City’s position and involvement and allows some keyboard warriors to rest their fingers,” Villalobos wrote.
Villalobos did not identify specific entities that might independently use Flock technology inside the city.
His statement focused on separating McAllen municipal government and its police department from ownership, operation, contracting, or participation in the Flock network.
