Dallas, TX — The Dallas Police Department says 321 Flock Safety license plate reader cameras will be deactivated Sept. 15 after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas agencies to stop using state funds for the technology.
DPD announced the change Sept. 1 after receiving guidance on how the statewide funding freeze affects existing grants.
The 321 cameras represent nearly half of Dallas’ current Flock network. More than 300 additional cameras are expected to remain in operation because they are supported through other funding sources.
Dallas Police says the technology has been used to help identify vehicles connected to crimes, generate investigative leads and assist with solving cases.
State Funding Cut Has Immediate Impact
Texas has invested at least $30 million in state-supported Flock deployments since 2023, helping local agencies and DPS install thousands of cameras statewide.
Dallas received significant grant support through that effort, including nearly $1.7 million tied to 201 cameras in one documented grant.
Some of the state funding used for vehicle-crime programs traces back to the $1 annual fee added to Texas auto insurance policies in 2023.
Dallas Could Go Further
The Sept. 15 shutdown only affects the cameras tied to state funding.
A separate Dallas City Council budget debate could affect additional cameras that remain operational. Council member Adam Bazaldua has pushed to remove approximately $1.5 million in city funding for the program.
No final decision has been made on those remaining cameras.
The Dallas announcement is one of the clearest examples yet of the immediate effect of Abbott’s statewide funding freeze, which follows growing scrutiny over privacy, data-sharing and alleged misuse of Flock systems across Texas.