Local funding of Flock cameras continues after contentious Erath County court ruling

BY TAEZER THOMPSON

Multimedia Journalist

The Erath County Commissioners Court, which oversees the county where Tarleton State University is located, voted unanimously on Sept. 14, 2026, to continue funding Flock cameras for another year. 

Several citizens expressed their frustration and stormed out of the courtroom during the meeting.

Locals make their cases opposing Flock cameras

The vote to keep funding the cameras followed about 30 minutes of public comments. Opponents questioned why the county collects information about drivers who are not suspected of a crime. They also raised concerns about access to the data and how the contract was approved.

Heather Anderson, an Erath County resident who organized an online petition to remove the cameras, said it had drawn nearly 1,200 signatures. She also referred to the online polls published by Erath County News, which show widespread opposition to public funding.

Additionally, Anderson told commissioners that the county’s equipment-lease budget initially listed $6,000 for the Flock cameras, although the cameras wound up costing $30,000. 

Hood County Commissioner Dave Eagle also addressed the court. Eagle claimed Hood County, the neighboring county, canceled its Flock agreement after a contract dispute and was seeking the return of money it had paid. He asked Erath County officials to reconsider their agreement.

Prosecutor points to criminal cases

District Attorney Alan Nash supported keeping the cameras, but did not dismiss the privacy questions. Nash said the concerns about mass surveillance are legitimate, and he expects state lawmakers to adopt more safeguards as the technology develops.

Nash said local officers search Flock records when they are investigating a specific crime. They use the results to identify possible suspects or rule people out, rather than tracking where someone generally goes or who they meet.

He referenced a recent arson case involving 55-year-old Dana Buckelew, where vehicle sightings assisted investigators in challenging a suspect’s account of her whereabouts. Evidence that contradicts a suspect’s story can advance an interview in ways that a direct accusation may not.

Nash acknowledged the potential for misuse of license plate readers and suggested that additional regulations and oversight would be beneficial. He urged commissioners to retain this investigative tool while these safeguards are being developed.

Sheriff asks court to review contract timeline

Some of the locals who oppose the Flock cameras raised concerns about the timeline that led to the contract being signed in 2024. They accused Erath County Sheriff Matt Coates of signing the contract on Oct. 25, 2024, before the commissioners approved it exactly one month later. 

Near the end of Monday’s meeting, Coates asked the court to examine claims that he signed the Flock paperwork before commissioners considered the resolution. Coates said he did not remember the sequence. He also said he believed his signature alone would not bind the county before the court gave its approval.

“If I have done anything wrong, I ask you to hold me accountable,” Coates said. 

He suggested an outside agency could investigate if necessary. Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee said the county would provide more information about the process.

The meeting ended without an order to deactivate or remove Flock cameras from the area.