EL PASO, Texas — The El Paso Police Department has stopped using state-funded Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras following a state order ending grant funding for the technology.
District 8 City Representative Chris Canales announced the decision, saying he was notified by El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas.
According to Canales, the move is a direct result of an order from Texas Governor Greg Abbott prohibiting the use of state funding for Automated License Plate Reader systems.
Canales has previously opposed the city’s relationship with Flock and earlier this year proposed ending the agreement and discontinuing the use of networked, AI-powered license plate readers. The proposal failed when the El Paso City Council voted 6-2 against the measure.
In a statement, Canales said he remains concerned about:
- Privacy protections
- Data sharing practices
- Public access to information
- Potential misuse of the technology
Canales noted he is not aware of similar problems occurring in El Paso but believes the concerns outweigh the benefits.
Chief Pacillas later confirmed the department’s decision in a public statement, saying:
“Following the recent order by Governor Greg Abbott prohibiting state funding for Automated License Plate Readers, the El Paso Police Department has halted the use of state-funded ALPR devices.”
It remains unclear whether any locally funded license plate reader systems will continue operating.
