Conroe police investigate alleged threats against city officials following Flock camera vote

CONROE, Texas (KTRK) -- The Conroe Police Department said an investigation is underway after city council members said they and their families have received harassing calls or death threats.

The allegations come days after the city council voted against putting a measure related to the city's use of Flock license plate reader cameras on the Nov. 3 ballot.

RELATED: Conroe City Council rejects proposal to let citizens decide on Flock camera use in the city

Councilmember John Sellars said he recently received a death threat over the phone. He also said his wife received a harassing phone call. Sellars' full statement read:

"I've got no problem with folks disagreeing with me; that comes with the job.

My position is pretty simple: if you want to put something on the ballot, show the public support and collect the signatures. That's what our firefighters were required to do, and I believe they were successful. Everybody ought to play by the same rules.

If folks want to recall me over that, they have every right to try.

What I won't shrug off is the recent death threat made to me by phone and the harassing calls made to my wife's cellphone. Political disagreement is fair game. Threatening someone or dragging their family into it isn't.

We can disagree plenty in Conroe without losing our decency."

Councilmember Ken Blevins said he has received similar threats and said he would not be intimidated, stating in part:

"There is a line that should never be crossed. Disagreeing with a councilman or mayor is politics. Directly threatening one's life and repeatedly harassing their spouse is not politics. It's unacceptable. The Conroe I know is better than that.

I'm not going to be intimidated, and I'm not going to stop doing what I believe is right for the people of Conroe because someone disagrees with me...

Let's disagree on the issues without losing respect for one another or dragging our families into it."

The council's decision on Flock cameras has become a contentious issue in Conroe. Opponents of the cameras have argued that the technology raises privacy and surveillance concerns and have pushed for the city to remove the cameras

Despite mentions of firefighters and their push for a vote on collective bargaining, Councilmembers Kristin Hoisington and Sellars said they don't believe firefighters, or union members, were involved.

Sellars said he believes people opposed to Flock cameras are behind the threats. But residents involved in the opposition movement said they do not condone violence or threats against city officials.

Joseph Sinn, a Conroe resident who wants the city to remove its Flock cameras, said he understands why some residents are frustrated with city leaders but said his group does not support violence.

"We don't condone violence," Sinn said. "I'm not going to be violent. I got six kids at home."

Sinn said the dispute has grown beyond the cameras themselves.

"Now, it's evolved. It's no longer about Flock," Sinn said. "Now, it's about whether or not the city council represents the city or not."

The FBI's Houston field office said it is aware of the allegations and can provide resources if Conroe police would like assistance.

Conroe police are investigating the threats.