El Paso City Council votes to remove Flock Safety surveillance cameras

The El Paso City Council has voted unanimously to remove 150 Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras from the city streets. The decision follows months of public scrutiny regarding privacy, surveillance, and the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement.

The removal process was accelerated after Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered that state funds no longer be allocated to this specific technology, leaving the cameras without the grant funding required for operation. El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas confirmed that the department ceased using the cameras on September 3.

The council has given Flock Safety 60 days to remove the equipment. If the company fails to do so, the city intends to cover the cameras with fully opaque bags to ensure they can no longer be used. Additionally, the council approved a ban on municipal officials entering into new contracts for ALPR systems while the city evaluates the implications of such surveillance technology on public safety and privacy.