Lawmakers added $1 to Texans’ car insurance policies. The money paid for thousands of Flock cameras.
Summary
In 2023, the Texas Legislature increased car insurance fees by $1 to fight theft of catalytic converters. This money funded thousands of Flock surveillance cameras across Texas, used by police to monitor highways and streets. Recently, Governor Abbott paused state funding for new local Flock camera grants.Key Facts
- Texas added a $1 fee to car insurance policies in 2023 to reduce catalytic converter theft.
- At least $30 million from this fee has gone toward installing over 3,200 Flock cameras statewide.
- The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority manages the funds and grants for these cameras.
- The Authority has given 234 grants totaling $50.8 million to help police use the cameras and other crime-fighting tools.
- Cities like Dallas, Laredo, and El Paso received large grants to install hundreds of Flock cameras.
- Another $3 million was recently approved for 583 more cameras on Texas toll roads.
- Governor Abbott's office has now paused state funding for further local Flock camera grants.
- Most funding for local cameras now comes from federal sources, not the state.
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