League City council puts Flock license plate readers on November ballot

LEAGUE CITY, Texas (KTRK) -- League City residents will have a chance in November to weigh in on the city's continued use of Flock Safety automatic license plate readers, though the vote will be advisory and not legally binding.

The League City City Council voted 6-1 to place the question on the Nov. 3 ballot. Councilmember Chad Tressler was the lone vote against the measure.

The city has 55 Flock cameras, according to police, which say the technology has played a role in 305 criminal investigations over the past year.

The cameras have become increasingly controversial as communities debate privacy concerns and the potential for mass surveillance.

License plate reader cameras have also been vandalized in Houston and other parts of the country. Police departments in Pasadena, Baytown and the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office have investigated allegations involving officers accused of improperly using information collected by the cameras for personal purposes.

League City's ballot question initially was expected to give voters a more direct say over whether the city should continue using the technology. During Tuesday night's council meeting, however, council members clarified that the November vote would be nonbinding.

A binding vote could require the city to take a specific action, while a nonbinding vote serves as an advisory measure.

Mayor Nick Long said the change gives voters an opportunity to express their views while allowing the city to determine what action to take afterward.

"I think that's probably fair," Long said when asked whether making the vote nonbinding takes some of the power away from voters. He added that if residents clearly express their preference and elected officials ignore it, voters could respond at the ballot box.

Long said the city would be prepared to negotiate with Flock Safety if voters indicate they want the cameras removed.

"At that point it will be a negotiation with Flock to remove cameras as soon as possible," Long said, adding that the city would be willing to pay contractual costs if necessary.

Supporters of the cameras say they are an important tool for investigating crimes and identifying dangerous suspects.

Critics argue the technology goes beyond license plate collection and creates a large database of information about people's movements.

"This is not just about license plates. It's about a massive collection of private data," one speaker said during the meeting.

Another argued that the cameras are "essential to solving crimes and removing dangerous criminals from the street."

Council member Tom Crews raised questions during the meeting about whether the ballot measure would be binding or advisory. Crews also has filed to run against Long for mayor.

Long is seeking reelection, making the November vote on the cameras an issue that could play a role in the mayoral contest. Crews is running against him.

League City voters will decide whether they support continued use of the Flock cameras on Nov. 3. Regardless of the outcome, the vote will not automatically require the city to remove or keep the cameras.

RELATED: League City voters could decide whether Flock cameras are used within city limits