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When a stolen vehicle crosses into Farmers Branch, police now know within seconds.
The city's growing network of automated license plate readers, 25 fixed cameras and two mobile trailers positioned at key intersections and entry points instantly alerts officers when vehicles linked to crimes, missing persons or outstanding warrants enter the community.
The department originally purchased Vigilant cameras but now uses Flock Safety technology for active camera locations, while in-car readers are Axon products.
"It's already paid off in some crimes so far as developing suspects, locating people that have warrants and stolen vehicles when they interact with our city," said Patrol Lt. McCain, who oversees the program's daily operations.
The technology marks a significant shift for the department, which first installed the cameras in 2021 and has expanded the network each year using state grant funding.
The focus on vehicles makes sense from a crime-fighting perspective. According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, "7 in 10 crimes are committed with a vehicle," notes the Flock Safety website, which provides the department's current camera system.
The process unfolds rapidly when a camera detects a suspicious vehicle. Whether it's a stolen car, a person with outstanding warrants or a missing person case, officers receive real-time notifications on their dashboard displaying the license plate photo, vehicle image and reason for the alert.
But technology alone doesn't make arrests.
"In order to stop a vehicle, the officer must visually verify the plate, receive confirmation of the accuracy of the hit information by running it through NCIC/TCIC, and have a legitimate reason for a stop," said Heidi Smith, the department's media and compliance specialist.
McCain acknowledged the system isn't perfect. "Every now and then you might get a misread, and it usually depends on the angle of the camera," he said. "But officers verify that information, too, before taking any action."
The verification step addresses concerns about accuracy in a technology that processes thousands of license plates daily. Research shows modern systems achieve recognition rates exceeding 95% under optimal conditions.
Texas taxpayers indirectly fund much of the technology through fees paid by insurance companies to the state's Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, which then awards grants to police departments.
Farmers Branch received $75,000 in fiscal 2024 and $105,000 in fiscal 2025, covering camera leases, software licensing and maintenance. The department contributed a required 20% match of $21,000 last year.
"For a fraction of one officer's pay, we have eyes all around the city," Smith said.
The funding model reflects growing state support for the technology. The legislature created the MVCPA grant program specifically to help departments combat motor vehicle crimes, which account for a significant portion of property crimes statewide.
While stolen vehicle recovery remains the primary use, the cameras serve broader public safety functions. The department has used them to locate missing drivers in Silver Alert cases and missing persons whose vehicles were spotted passing through the city.
"The technology is used for so many things,” said Smith. “It's very helpful to find people quickly so that we can help them."
The department posts monthly "LPR Hits" on social media, showcasing cases where the technology helped recover stolen property or locate suspects. The posts aim to demonstrate value to residents who may question the surveillance expansion.
Civil liberties advocates worry that license plate readers create detailed records of law-abiding citizens' movements. The cameras capture every vehicle that passes, not just those connected to crimes.
Flock Safety, which works with more than 2,000 police departments nationwide, says its technology addresses privacy concerns by design. "ALPR cameras capture license plates and vehicle characteristics, not people or faces," the company states via its website.
Farmers Branch has implemented policies to address privacy concerns. The department retains scan data for no more than two years unless needed for court proceedings. Other agencies can access the data only through formal requests approved by the police chief.
"The same precautions are taken to ensure proper and responsible use of these LPR programs" as other sensitive law enforcement databases, Smith said.
Some departments have adopted stricter policies. New Hampshire requires deletion of non-hit data within three minutes, while Palm Springs, Calif., retains data for only 30 days.
Public reaction has been divided, Smith acknowledged. Social media posts about the program draw both praise and criticism.
"Some people will always think that they're being spied upon," she said. "But we're getting good and bad messages on our comments from people."
The department plans to launch a public transparency portal with Flock Safety, the company that provides the cameras, though no timeline has been set.
Private businesses and neighborhoods can join the network by purchasing their own cameras that integrate with the police system. Shopping centers, mixed-development areas and homeowners associations use similar technology to detect and deter theft and property damage, Smith said. While businesses control access to their own cameras, they can grant police access for law enforcement purposes.
McCain sees the technology as essential for modern policing. "It is the way of the future," he said. "It's a great investigative tool for follow-ups to locate stolen vehicles, suspect vehicles."
As Farmers Branch continues expanding its camera network, city officials say the technology represents a cost-effective way to enhance public safety while maintaining community trust through transparency and oversight.
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