A federal appeals court is considering a challenge to police searches of Flock license plate camera records as Murphy moves to remove its cameras and Wylie reconsiders its contract.

The Fifth Circuit heard arguments Oct. 5 in Charles Brownlee’s appeal of an armed robbery conviction and 60-year prison sentence. Investigators used camera records to connect Brownlee to five robberies in Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs in 2024, according to the Texas Tribune.

Brownlee’s attorneys contend that reconstructing travel through the database required a warrant. Federal prosecutors dispute that argument and say Brownlee cannot challenge the search because he was a passenger in his sister’s car.

The court has not announced when it will rule. Its decision could address the constitutional question or resolve the appeal on narrower grounds.

Local councils reconsider cameras

Murphy’s City Council voted Oct. 6 to give Flock 30 days’ notice requesting removal of the city’s four cameras.

Police Chief Jeff Gibson said the equipment would remain active until the company removed it on its own schedule. Council members raised concerns about oversight and uncertainty over reimbursement through a state grant program, the Murphy Monitor reported.

Wylie’s council voted 7-0 on Aug. 25 to prevent its Flock agreement from renewing automatically. The decision left open the possibility of a new contract with different terms following a work session, according to Wylie News.

That report listed Oct. 13 as the agreement’s scheduled expiration date. It did not establish whether the city subsequently negotiated another arrangement.

State funding restrictions

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines signed an order Oct. 13 restricting the use of future grants administered by his office for automated license plate reader systems.

The restriction covers equipment purchases and entering into, extending or renewing contracts with providers, including Flock. It does not amount to a statewide prohibition on operating the cameras, according to the scope described by FOX 7 Austin.

Gov. Greg Abbott had also directed state agencies to pause Flock funding and called for a halt to new installation permits on state roads, FOX 7 reported.