Residents ask Harris County commissioners to cancel Flock contract over surveillance concerns

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- On Thursday, Harris County residents asked commissioners to do away with a Flock contract that allows license plate reading and the detection of sounds such as gunshots, screeching tires, and breaking glass.

SEE ALSO: More Flock cameras cut down in Houston amid some privacy concerns

"I'm concerned that these cameras increase the risk of mass surveillance, loss of privacy, exposure of personal data, and potential false arrests," one resident said.

Resident after resident spoke up.

"I'm here to demand that commissioners cancel the Flock safety contract," another resident said during public comment.

Those who spoke up want Harris County commissioners to terminate the county's contract with Flock, a camera system used by law enforcement and municipalities to track potential crimes and criminals.

On Thursday, Harris County commissioners sought to amend their current Flock contract to ensure the product can be used countywide, but residents said it should be canceled because they fear the technology could breed community distrust at a time of uncertainty, referencing the recent shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado by ICE agents on Tuesday.

"His family is grieving, and a community already living in fear has been left with even more uncertainty. That is exactly why now is not the time to expand mass surveillance," another resident spoke up.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Houston Flock cameras vandalized, cut down and spray-painted near Washington Avenue, police say

Experts tell ABC13 that concerns for mass surveillance are growing across the nation, as we reported this week alone, at least four Flock cameras were destroyed in the Houston area.

"Item 253 is the Fourth Amendment to this contract. Four tries to fix a bad deal, cancel it; we don't need these license plate readers moved a mile apart; we need them moved out of our neighborhoods permanently," another public commenter said.

At the time of this report, commissioners have yet to vote on the amendment.