EL CAMPO — Following questions about automated license plate reader cameras in El Campo, Wharton Post reviewed public records provided by the City of El Campo concerning its agreement with Flock Safety and the Police Department’s policies governing technology systems.

The records include City Council Resolution R2023-14, the Flock Safety agreement and order form, March 27, 2023 City Council meeting minutes, and El Campo Police Department General Order 05-02.

Together, the documents provide details about how many cameras were originally approved, how the system was funded, who owns data collected through the system, how long certain data is retained, who owns the camera equipment and how the Police Department governs access to technology that includes license plate readers.

Eight Cameras Were Approved

The El Campo City Council unanimously approved Resolution R2023-14 on March 27, 2023, authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Flock Safety for the acquisition, installation, maintenance and monitoring of eight automated license plate recognition cameras.

The council minutes state there was no financial impact to the city, with the project paid through Operation Lone Star grant funds.

The resolution itself also specifies eight ALPR cameras. The accompanying Flock order form lists eight Falcon cameras at $2,500 each annually, along with implementation services. The agreement carried a 24-month initial subscription term and a total contract amount of $45,200.

The city has since told Wharton Post that eight cameras are currently operating under El Campo Police Department control, meaning the current number matches the number originally approved by the City Council in 2023.

The City Retains Rights to Its Data

The Flock agreement addresses ownership of information collected through the system.

Under the agreement, as between Flock Safety and the City of El Campo, the city retains its rights, title and interest in its agency data. Flock receives a limited license allowing the company to use that information as necessary to provide its services.

The contract separates the city’s data from Flock’s own technology and intellectual property. Flock retains its rights to the software, hardware systems and technology used to provide the service.

Flock May Use Aggregated Data

The agreement also allows Flock to collect, analyze and anonymize agency data to create what the contract calls “Aggregated Data.”

According to the agreement, that information may be used to operate and improve Flock services, develop technologies including machine-learning algorithms, perform diagnostic functions and support crime-prevention efforts.

The contract states that Flock does not sell Aggregated Data.

Data Is Generally Deleted After 30 Days

The agreement states that Flock automatically deletes agency data older than 30 days, giving the agency a 30-day period to view, save or otherwise preserve footage before automatic deletion.

The contract identifies a shorter retention period for its Wing Replay feature, stating that data associated with that feature is automatically deleted after seven days.

Information may be retained longer when legally required, including in response to a valid court order or other legal obligation.

The Cameras Remain Flock Property

Although El Campo uses the Flock system, the agreement states that the physical Flock hardware remains the property of Flock Safety.

The contract describes the cameras and related equipment as Flock hardware and states that rented Flock hardware remains Flock property. The agreement also addresses removal of that equipment following termination or expiration of the service.

Contract Details

The agreement approved in 2023 included:

• Eight Flock Falcon automated license plate reader cameras
• A 24-month initial subscription term
• $20,000 annually for the eight Falcon cameras
• Implementation services associated with installation
• A $45,200 total contract amount for the initial term
• Funding through Operation Lone Star grant funds

The March 27 council vote approving the agreement was unanimous among the council members present.

Department Policy

Wharton Post also obtained El Campo Police Department General Order 05-02, titled Information Technology Systems.

Unlike a policy written specifically for automated license plate readers, General Order 05-02 establishes broader rules for technology systems owned or operated by ECPD. The current version took effect Nov. 1, 2025 and was issued by Police Chief David Marcaurele.

The policy specifically includes license plate readers within the department’s definition of artificial intelligence, along with technology such as AI-equipped drones, facial recognition, voice analysis and tracking devices.

The policy states that ECPD technology systems are provided to help employees perform their duties in the public interest and must be used in accordance with department policy and law.

Who Can Access the Technology?

General Order 05-02 states that the El Campo Police Department determines who may access its information technology systems and the extent of those access privileges.

The chief has authority to determine access privileges and may delegate responsibilities concerning who receives or loses access.

For technology classified by the department as artificial intelligence, the policy requires the chief to establish in writing several conditions before use, including which personnel are authorized to use it, what training is required, what level of cause — if any — is required, which agency personnel must approve its use and how use of the technology is documented.

The records provided to Wharton Post do not include a separate El Campo Police Department policy specifically addressing Flock or ALPR searches, so the documents reviewed do not establish the exact written criteria currently used for individual Flock searches beyond the broader requirements contained in General Order 05-02.

Electronic Information and Public Records

The ECPD policy states that electronic information contained on department technology systems remains property of the department.

It also says the department may monitor its information technology systems and access information that is sent, received or stored on them. The policy specifically reminds employees that information contained on those systems may be subject to disclosure under state public information laws.

What the Records Show

The public records provide several answers about El Campo’s Flock Safety program.

The City Council authorized eight cameras in 2023, and the city says eight remain under ECPD control today. The original system was funded through Operation Lone Star grant funds rather than through a direct financial impact listed in the council agenda.

The Flock agreement establishes provisions covering agency data, retention, Flock’s use of aggregated information and ownership of the physical equipment.

The Police Department’s newer technology policy also explicitly classifies license plate readers as artificial intelligence and requires the chief to establish rules governing authorization, training, approvals and documentation before that technology is used.

Wharton Post is not publishing or requesting the locations of El Campo’s cameras. The purpose of reviewing these records is to provide information about the program itself, its governing agreement and the policies surrounding its use.

View the Public Records

The records reviewed for this report include the March 27, 2023 El Campo City Council meeting minutes, Resolution R2023-14 and its attached Flock Safety agreement, and El Campo Police Department General Order 05-02.

These are public records provided by the City of El Campo. This article highlights provisions relevant to the Flock camera program but is not intended to replace the complete documents. Readers should review the original records for their full terms and context.