League City voters will decide whether police keep using Flock license plate reader cameras when they cast ballots on Proposition A in the Nov. 3 election.

The nonbinding question on the ballot reads: "As a nonbinding statement of voter preference, should the League City Police Department continue using automated license plate reader cameras at fixed locations on public roadways for law enforcement purposes?"

A "yes" vote supports continued use. A "no" vote opposes it. Proposition A is the only city-specific ballot measure this cycle, according to the city's elections page.

More cameras than previously known

The League City Police Department (LCPD) manages 55 city-owned Flock cameras, but officers also access 23 cameras run by homeowners associations and six run by private businesses. That brings the total within the department's reach to 84, FOX 26 Houston first reported Oct. 19. Earlier reports cited only the 55 city-owned cameras.

The police department told FOX 26 its annual Flock contract costs $175,000. Mayor Nick Long, however, described a $120,000 annual obligation during his interview with the station. FOX 26 reported the information provided does not explain the $55,000 difference.

What the cameras collect

The cameras capture still images of vehicles and license plates, along with vehicle characteristics and the date, time and location of each pass. The system does not record audio or video and does not use facial recognition, according to the police department's written response to FOX 26.

Department policy limits data retention to 30 days unless the information is preserved as evidence in a criminal investigation. Records of officers' searches are kept separately and are not subject to that 30-day limit.

One policy detail stands out for voters weighing privacy concerns: data from Flock cameras installed within Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) highway rights-of-way is automatically transmitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) license plate reader system every 24 hours. The department's written response does not fully explain how League City monitors information after another agency obtains it, FOX 26 reported.

Both mayoral candidates acknowledge outside-access concerns

Long and Council Member Tom Crews, who are competing for mayor, both called the cameras useful law enforcement tools. Both also acknowledged that local safeguards do not resolve every concern about outside agencies' use of the data, according to FOX 26.

"I'm not quite convinced yet we have figured out how to stop the abuse from other agencies into our system," Long told FOX 26. "We are working with the committee and with Flock to tighten that down."

Crews, asked what he would tell a voter worried about outside misuse, was blunt. He acknowledged he could not offer a complete assurance, telling FOX 26 that trying to put a voter's mind at ease "would just be me just trying to placate you."

What happens if voters say no

The vote is nonbinding, but City Council unanimously passed a resolution directing staff to remove all 55 city cameras within 72 hours of the vote's certification if a majority votes "no," according to KGTX 7. If physical removal cannot be completed in that window, staff must bag or cover the cameras to stop data capture. The resolution also directs the city attorney to begin terminating the Flock contract.

Long said the city would pay any remaining contractual obligation if necessary. Crews questioned whether a provision protecting existing agreements could complicate that promise, FOX 26 reported.

Police did not address what would happen to data already collected if voters reject continued use. The department said it would follow council's direction.

Early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30, at five League City locations including the League City Annex at 174 Calder Dr., The Crossings at 255 Egret Bay Blvd. and Hometown Heroes Park at 1001 E. League City Pkwy. Hours through Friday, Oct. 23, are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, hours are 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30, hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.