The Woodlands Approves Expansion of Flock Safety System Amid Privacy Concerns

The Woodlands is set to install 30 new Flock Safety cameras throughout the community by next summer, according to township officials, as part of a strategy to enhance crime prevention measures. The acquisition, as outlined in the 2026 township budget, is set to incur an initial expense of $109,500 in the first year, followed by an annual cost of $90,000 in subsequent years.

Officials from the township and law enforcement have announced plans to install cameras “strategically” across The Woodlands. This initiative aims to bolster investigative efforts and deter criminal activity as summer approaches. During a December 4 meeting, Chief Deputy Jonathan Zitzmann of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office informed board members that the system has proven effective. “The Flock cameras serve as an extraordinary force multiplier,” Zitzmann stated. “It offers law enforcement significant investigative insights to address criminal activity.”

Zitzmann noted that the presence of cameras reduces specific offenses. The sheriff’s office plans to complete installation of the entire system before the seasonal rise in “quality-of-life crimes,” such as vandalism and panhandling.

Flock Safety operates a nationwide network of license plate-reading cameras, providing real-time data to law enforcement agencies, communities, and private organizations. The system detects vehicles associated with criminal investigations, provides officers with location data, and records traffic entering and exiting monitored zones. The expansion of The Woodlands contributes to the increasing trend among Texas jurisdictions embracing the technology.

Chairman Brad Bailey of the township reported that the board has not encountered any negative feedback from the community. Nonetheless, the system has faced public backlash in other regions. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas has raised concerns about the proliferation of automated surveillance, warning that the information collected by these cameras can reveal individuals' travel patterns and social interactions. The organization contends that this type of monitoring poses serious concerns regarding civil liberties.

Flock officials assert that the system comes with inherent safeguards. The company states that law enforcement agencies, specifically the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in this instance, own the data gathered within their jurisdictions. Every search within the system requires a documented justification, and the system meticulously records all user activities. The company stated that any data not used in an investigation will be automatically deleted after 30 days.

Officials from the township have not provided a timeline for when installation work is scheduled to begin. Upon deployment, the cameras will integrate with existing public safety measures used throughout The Woodlands as law enforcement agencies prepare for the upcoming summer crime cycle.