Voters in League City rejected Proposition A, which asked whether city police should keep using automated license plate readers at fixed locations on public roadways. About 54% voted against it and about 46% voted for it, according to unofficial election results. Mayor Nick Long said the city put the question on the ballot because "there's strong feelings both ways."
The city's resolution calls for the cameras to be removed within 72 hours after the official canvass at the council's Nov. 17 meeting. Long said crews have started covering the city's 55 Flock cameras and expect to finish by Thursday afternoon, Nov. 5. He said covering the cameras stops them from collecting new license plate information. "The certification will happen in a couple weeks, so might as well just move forward and bag up the cameras now," Long said.
Supporters of the technology say it helps investigators identify suspects, solve crimes and locate missing people. Critics have raised concerns about collecting information on drivers who are not suspected of wrongdoing, sharing that data with other agencies and the potential for misuse. Investigations into alleged misuse by officers in other Houston-area departments have added to those concerns, according to the report.