Hundreds of Flock surveillance cameras across Dallas will remain operational for the time being, even as city and state officials continue to debate whether the program should continue. The cameras had been facing a potential shutdown following an order from Gov. Greg Abbott.
Dallas operates 684 Flock cameras citywide. Nearly half are funded through state money and were at risk of going dark under Abbott’s directive. Dallas police confirmed those cameras will stay online at least until the Dallas City Council takes up a vote on the Flock contract, currently scheduled for September 16.
The cameras function as automated license plate readers, allowing officers to enter a plate number and quickly determine whether that vehicle passed any camera in the network. Dallas police credit the technology with helping solve 13 percent of the city’s business robbery cases and contributing to a dozen homicide investigations in 2026 alone.
Despite those results, concerns about privacy and government overreach have grown louder among local and state leaders. Critics argue the widespread camera network poses risks of abuse and raises serious civil liberties questions.
In response to mounting pressure, Dallas police announced last week that they are placing new restrictions on who can access Flock camera data. The department previously shared data with more than 1,500 law enforcement agencies across the country. That number has now been cut to just over 200 agencies, all located within Texas.
The move to limit data sharing marks a significant shift in how DPD manages the surveillance network. Outside agencies no longer have access to the Dallas Flock system under the new policy.
License plate reader technology has been used on police patrol vehicles for many years, but Flock’s expansive fixed-camera network has drawn a new level of scrutiny from privacy advocates and elected officials alike. The debate in Dallas mirrors similar discussions happening in cities across the country.
With the September 16 council vote approaching, the future of the program remains uncertain. City leaders will have to weigh the department’s public safety arguments against growing concerns from residents and officials about the scope of surveillance in Dallas neighborhoods.