‘Y’all are taking part in video games’: Discussion over Harris County’s Flock digicam contract renewal turns tense

HOUSTON – Political tensions flared between Harris County’s elected leaders throughout a dialogue about renewing a contract with Flock Safety, a public security know-how firm whose license plate-reading cameras are routinely utilized by native regulation enforcement.

The one-year contract renewal authorised this week carries a price ticket of simply over $868,000.

Community members increase privateness alarms

The vote got here days earlier than the contract’s expiration on June 6, and several other residents voiced opposition throughout the assembly.

“There are not and can’t be enough guardrails around unauthorized use of electronic surveillance,” stated Laura, a Precinct 1 resident.

Jesus, a Precinct 4 resident, pushed again on the funding. “Flock is a surveillance system that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to track and monitor communities in Harris County … stop investing in technology that monitors our neighbors and put those tax dollars into real community resources that help us thrive.”

Others raised considerations about mass surveillance and the potential for third events to entry personal info, or the likelihood that U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement officers may get entry to the knowledge.

Commissioners conflict earlier than dialogue begins

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis wished to debate the contract after listening to neighborhood considerations, however they didn’t have commissioners’ help to maneuver ahead with a dialogue.

“I represent all the voters in Harris County unlike my colleagues and I oppose a lack of discussion. I myself need to be able to discuss this to figure out where I am,” Hidalgo stated.

Commissioner Tom Ramsey initially resisted any dialogue — transferring as an alternative to vote on the merchandise instantly.

Back-and-forth continued earlier than Commissioner Adrian Garcia made a movement to debate the merchandise, which Ramsey lastly seconded.

“Y’all are playing games here, clearly, all of a sudden you’re for it,” Hidalgo stated. “I don’t know what game you’re playing but I don’t trust y’all.”

Hidalgo then quipped: “They flip-flopped. The usual.”

Community demand, information privateness talks

Discussion finally moved ahead and Commissioner Lesley Briones famous the contract covers current know-how and stated she regularly hears concerning the Flock cameras at neighborhood conferences, which she described as being in “very high demand.”

Briones additionally famous that the County Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office and the buying division had been working to tighten language round information privateness.

According to Harris County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Anthony McConnell, who testified on the assembly, lots of the cameras are funded not by tax {dollars}, however by householders associations, MUD districts or different entities. The Sheriff’s Office administers the cameras.

McConnell defined that Flock captures photos of automobiles however doesn’t retailer further info corresponding to registered proprietor information. Because the system images the again of automobiles, it is usually troublesome for regulation enforcement to establish who could also be inside.

“Just this week, we stopped a robbery in progress with Flock. We found a stolen vehicle on Flock, we searched the area and found the vehicle occupied by three males that were casing a parking lot over off the Beltway,” McConnell stated.

Garcia expressed confidence in how the know-how is getting used. “This has turned out to be a very valuable tool to help solve crimes,” he stated. “While there is a concern … I have great confidence that the technology is being used appropriately.”

Contract passes; political jabs comply with

Hidalgo pushed again on what she characterised as a rushed course of that didn’t embody neighborhood enter.

“If we are really open to accountability, then we would not be trying to ram this through,” she stated, and once more referenced commissioners’ failure to move her initiative final yr to position a measure on the poll permitting voters to approve funding for early childhood training.

The contract finally handed with 4 votes. Hidalgo abstained.

Tensions carried over into the top of the dialogue on the merchandise.

“This is bizarre to not want to discuss it and then only discuss it for an hour. But it’s par for the course for my GOP three,” Hidalgo stated, how she has been referring to Garcia, Briones and Ramsey.

“It’s GOP four now,” Garcia responded, showing to incorporate Ellis.