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Texas Fee Hike Funds 3,200 Flock Cameras, Draws Backlash
The fee increase has paid for at least 3,200 Flock cameras, and lawmakers say the surveillance was never part of the bill.
- On Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott paused all state funding for local grants used for Flock cameras, a decision announced by spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris following inquiries from The Texas Tribune.
- The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority previously diverted a $1 annual insurance fee hike, originally intended to combat catalytic converter theft, into at least 3,200 Flock cameras statewide.
- Kenneth Feagins of DFW DeFlock cited an "alarming trend" of police improperly accessing the network, while a Lufkin officer was indicted Aug. 24 on misuse charges that Gov. Abbott cited as concerning.
- Nearly 100 municipalities nationwide have terminated their Flock contracts in response to public outcry, including Texas communities like Bandera and Hood County that cited installation issues and local opposition.
- Rep. Mitch Little intends to file legislation banning the devices, arguing the cameras violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and lacked explicit legislative authorization.
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18 Articles
Lawmakers added $1 to Texans’ car insurance policies. The money paid for thousands of Flock cameras. – WTOP News
In 2023, the Texas Legislature unanimously passed a law raising auto insurance costs for Texans by $1 to combat rampant catalytic converter theft. Three years later, a little-known state agency has devoted at least $30 million of that fee toward supercharging the state’s Flock surveillance network, placing cameras along highways and streets from El Paso...
·Chevy Chase, United States
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The Toronto Star+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
Lawmakers added $1 to Texans’ car insurance policies. The money paid for thousands of Flock cameras.
In 2023, the Texas Legislature unanimously passed a law raising auto insurance costs for Texans by $1 to combat rampant catalytic converter theft.
·Toronto, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Center
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
53% Center
L 41%
C 53%
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