AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a 6-1 vote Thursday, the city council of Lockhart, Texas, voted against a plan to purchase and set up seven AI-powered cameras in the city for use as license plate readers.
The proposal was for the city to enter a contract with Flock Safety for the cameras.
Lockhart Mayor Lew White said at Thursday night’s meeting that the city council has “had a long discussion” about the cameras.
“We’ve heard comments from many concerned citizens,” White said. “We’ve had a lot of comments about things going on in other communities … [we] could do some research and see what’s actually going on about what their experiences are. Might give us some better information about this decision.”
Lockhart Councilmember John Castillo motioned for a vote to reject the proposal due to the negative community response and how it could impact city residents. White was the sole vote against that motion; however, based on his comments, that likely shouldn’t be construed as a vote in support for the contract.
Activist groups Caldwell/Hays Education Fund and Ground Game Texas organized the opposition to the cameras.
A press release from the Caldwell/Hays Education Fund said that the group believes the council’s rejection was “the first instance in Texas of a city refusing to adopt the technology.”
Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley issued a June statement that “clickbait-driven reporting and social media rumors” about the use of their systems.
“In some states and jurisdictions, local law enforcement work with federal authorities to enforce immigration offenses. In other states and jurisdictions, that is illegal per state law or considered socially unacceptable,” Langley said. “The point is: it is a local decision. Not my decision, and not Flock’s decision.”
Ground Game Texas Executive Director Catina Voellinger said in a Friday press release that Texans were “tired of being told what’s best for us by unaccountable corporations.”
“What happened in Lockhart is proof that Texans know what real safely looks like: Care for one another, not control. We are building a Texas rooted in dignity, courage, and the power of the people,” she said.
Where else has considered the cameras?
The use of AI-powered cameras has been a contentious topic in several Central Texas municipalities.
The next Central Texas government to vote on AI cameras is Hays County, where County Judge Reuben Becerra has called for commissioners to vote a contract at an Oct. 14 meeting.
Earlier this year, Hays County Commissioners approved the creation of a contract with that company. However, that vote has been previously delayed, as KXAN reported, and could be delayed again.
Austin finished a license plate reader pilot program in March, which used AI cameras made by Utah-based LiveView Technologies (LVT). However, the Austin city council has pushed back an agenda item on whether to adopt the cameras long term, as KXAN previously reported.
A blog post on LVT’s website states that the cameras are an “incredible security tool,” but like any other tool “can cause damage if used incorrectly.”
“While companies like [LVT] already have data protection measures in place, those controlling the surveillance cameras ultimately control and protect the access to the footage and data collected. In order to stop potential abuse or unauthorized access, it’s critical to implement clear, comprehensive data handling and access procedures,” the post reads.
KXAN has also previously reported on the cameras’ adoption in Caldwell County.
Credit: Source link
