HAYS COUNTY
Hays County Commissioner’s Court tabled an item related to the purchase of $14,600 worth of additional Flock Safety cameras, which are License Plate recognition cameras that would be paid for with FY 2025 Rural LE Grant Award, at the regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday. In public comment and during the item, proponents highlighted the technology’s role in solving crimes, and opponents expressed concerns over mass surveillance, privacy violations and the potential use of data by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
Hays County Sheriff’s Department Captain Shane Smith said the county currently has five cameras installed and a sixth camera waiting on permitting, which did not include the additional four cameras that would be installed if approved. The current cameras are located at RM 150 eastbound and Hays City Store, TX-21 and FM 2001, US 290 at Nutty Brown Road, US 290 at RM 12 and I-35 eastbound overpass at Firecracker Drive.
