License Plate Camera Plan Shut Down

Princeton City Council voted 5-1 on Sept. 8 to sunset the city’s plans for automated license plate reader technology after a lengthy debate over privacy, policy and public trust. The action stopped both the city’s pending Flock Safety project and its separate Vigilant program from moving forward.

Police told council that Princeton had no cameras currently operating. Staff said six fixed Vigilant cameras had been approved in 2024 using ARPA funds and were being installed at three intersections, with activation expected by the end of September. The department also said six temporary Flock cameras arrived Aug. 26 but had not been installed, while permanent Flock cameras funded through the Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority had been delayed pending TxDOT approval.

During the discussion, residents urged council to reject both Flock and similar systems, saying the technology could allow broad tracking of people who are not suspected of crimes. Speakers questioned how long data would be retained, who outside Princeton could access it, whether searches would be audited, and whether local written rules were already in place. Several cited unsettled court questions and asked the city to pause until there was clearer legal guidance.