Hidalgo (state)

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is calling for a special Commissioners Court session to revisit the county's Flock Safety license-plate reader program, saying officials renewed the contract in May without full public debate or added oversight safeguards that had been discussed at the time. Hidalgo wants a public accounting of the county's Flock contracts, a discussion with experts and residents, and a pause on the program until stronger privacy protections are in place. The original renewal passed 4-0, with Hidalgo abstaining, after officials credited the cameras with aiding arrests and solving violent crimes, while residents warned the system logs every vehicle, not just suspects.

The dispute reflects broader unease across Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott has cut certain state funding for Flock cameras, and allegations of misused searches have surfaced at several Houston-area police departments. In Magnolia, the police chief has decided not to renew his department's contract over similar data-privacy concerns and budget constraints, despite acknowledging the cameras' investigative value. Harris County commissioners meet Tuesday, though Flock was not yet on the posted agenda.