League City will present a referendum in November regarding the continued use of Flock Safety's automated license plate reader cameras. The City Council voted unanimously to place the question on the ballot, marking a significant moment as it is believed to be one of the first instances in Texas where a city has sought voter input on such a program.
The proposition will ask whether the city should maintain its current operation of 55 active cameras, with an additional 16 awaiting permits from the Texas Department of Transportation. Although the referendum is non-binding, the City Council retains the authority to make final decisions about the program.
Mayor Nick Long, who proposed the referendum, acknowledged the effectiveness of the cameras in solving serious crimes but also raised concerns about privacy. He noted instances of misuse in nearby areas, where police officers resigned over alleged inappropriate use of Flock cameras, which has intensified the privacy debate in League City.
In conjunction with the referendum, the city plans to launch an online transparency portal to provide information on how the cameras are utilized. The outcome of this vote could influence similar programs in other Texas cities, as many have implemented these systems without public votes.
