Taylor to Remove Eight Flock Safety Cameras
Police chief cites low usage and data security concerns in ending the agreement.
By Giulia Marshall ·
The City of Taylor will remove all eight Flock Safety cameras from local highways. The contract with the vendor ends immediately.
The city installed the automated license plate readers on Highway 79 and Highway 95 in late 2023. Officials bought the equipment with the expectation that it would help solve crimes. The Taylor Police Department now says the cameras were used far less than anticipated. The department stated that the usefulness of the system has not been realized in solving crime.
City officials also expressed dissatisfaction with the data security and protection measures provided by Flock Safety. Taylor Police Chief Joseph Chacon addressed the decision in a statement issued on Nov. 2. He cited a recent loss of confidence in the program. He noted that other departments have discontinued its use. Chacon said the system lacked benefit to the community.
Chacon stated that the city does not believe it is worth continuing the agreement with Flock. He added that Taylor may revisit the use of automated license plate readers in the future. That decision will depend on whether data security concerns are addressed.
The eight cameras in Taylor have already been disabled. Crews will remove the physical units in the coming days. This removal is part of the formal termination process.
The city confirmed the decision through a statement released on Nov. 2. The contract termination applies to all equipment maintained by Flock Safety in the city.
