Flock Camera Contract Under Scrutiny Ahead of Monday's Erath County Budget Vote
STEPHENVILLE, Texas: A local debate over Erath County's Flock camera contract is intensifying ahead of Monday's county budget vote. Most respondents to a voluntary Erath County News Facebook poll opposed using public funds for the cameras. At the same time, local reporting shows that Flock data assisted in a recent arson investigation where a woman was accused of intentionally setting multiple fires across Erath County.
Poll Shows Strong Opposition Among Respondents
An Erath County News poll on Friday asked, "Do you support your local government using public funds for Flock safety cameras in your county?" It received 722 responses in approximately 24 hours. 8% voted 'Yes' while 90% voted 'No'.
Privacy and Data Access Concerns
Heather Anderson, who brought the issue to Erath County News, is asking commissioners to determine whether the county can stop funding the agreement and remove the cameras. Anderson said she is concerned about public spending and the collection of vehicle location information from people who are not suspected of a crime.
Anderson acknowledged that the cameras can help investigators. However, she said that the benefit does not answer her questions about who may search the records, how long they are kept, and which agencies receive access. She has also promoted an online petition seeking the removal of the cameras.
Flock's published license plate reader policy says the system collects license plate and vehicle images, the plate number and state, vehicle characteristics, the date and time, and the camera location. The company says system queries are logged for auditing, and customers choose whether to share their data with other agencies. Its policy lists a rolling seven-day default retention period but allows a customer to use a different schedule.
Cameras Assisted in Arson Investigation
An August 28 report by the Dublin Citizen provides a recent example of the system's use by law enforcement. The newspaper reported that Flock cameras helped investigators identify Dana Whitley Buckelew as a suspect in a string of fires in eastern Erath County.
The District Attorney's office said the camera records helped officials identify and arrest Buckelew more quickly. The available reporting describes several investigative steps, including a tip, camera records, and an interview. It supports the conclusion that Flock assisted the investigation. However, it does not establish that the cameras alone identified the suspect.
How the Cameras Work
Flock describes its cameras as tools for locating stolen vehicles and missing people and for generating leads in criminal investigations. The cameras capture vehicle sightings at fixed locations rather than continuously tracking vehicles via GPS. A series of sightings, however, can reveal information about where a vehicle traveled, depending on camera coverage and access to shared records.
County Contract and Costs
County minutes show that the Commissioners Court approved a Flock LPR (license plate reader) resolution for the sheriff's office on November 25, 2024, by a 4-0 vote. About a year before the company started facing widespread backlash. The minutes document the public action but do not include the complete agreement, its price, signing date, or cancellation terms.
The agreement is for multiple years. According to the County Auditor, Kent Reeves, an initial payment of $41,000 has been made. The next portion of the contract runs from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, with a payment of $30,000 due.
Flock's current online terms, updated August 21, include a non-appropriation provision for public customers. Where applicable, the provision allows a customer to terminate at the end of its fiscal year if money is not appropriated for a future fiscal year and Flock receives 30 days' written notice. The customer remains responsible for amounts incurred before termination.
Whether the County Can Exit Remains Unclear
Flock's explanation of its August contract changes says the online terms govern customers whose signed agreements reference them. The company says the changes do not alter negotiated standalone agreements separately.
Erath County News contacted County Attorney Bethany Espinoza to ask whether her office had determined whether the county could terminate the agreement or decline to fund a second year. The publication also sought information from another county official about the contract, cost, documented benefits, and participating agencies. Neither official responded before publication.
Budget Vote Scheduled for Monday
The September 14 Commissioners Court meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. in the second-floor Commissioners Courtroom at the Erath County Courthouse. The posted agenda includes adoption of the 2026-2027 budget, payment of invoices, and line-item transfers.
The county's meeting notice requires anyone wishing to speak to submit a public participation form to the county clerk before the relevant item is discussed. Speakers are limited to three minutes, and the notice limits participation to six speakers per agenda item.
