West Texas
LubbockAmarilloSoonMidland / OdessaSoonBig SpringSoonAbileneSoon
News/Beyond the 806

Beyond the 806

Greg Abbott, Gina Hinojosa join Flock camera debate in governor race - El Paso Times

Greg Abbott, Gina Hinojosa join Flock camera debate in governor race - El Paso Times

A 15-second digital ad from Democratic governor candidate Gina Hinojosa is now running in Lubbock, targeting Greg Abbott over a $26 million state contract he awarded to Flock Safety that put 10,000 surveillance cameras across Texas. The ad is part of a buy hitting university towns, including College Station, San Marcos, Denton, Waco, Fort Worth, and Austin alongside Lubbock.

The ad is part of a buy hitting university towns, including College Station, San Marcos, Denton, Waco, Fort Worth, and Austin alongside Lubbock. Hinojosa's argument centers on the scale of the camera rollout and the state money behind it. Flock cameras are operating in dozens of Texas cities and counties, with state grants covering 75 to 80 percent of the cost.

For people here, the ad landing in Lubbock is a deliberate choice. It's a college town, and Hinojosa is clearly trying to reach younger voters and campus-adjacent neighborhoods who may have stronger feelings about mass surveillance than the broader electorate. Whether Flock cameras are actually operating in Lubbock right now, the source material does not say, but the city is clearly on the campaign's radar as a persuadable market.

The debate over Flock cameras has been simmering in Texas for months, pitting public safety arguments against privacy concerns. Abbott's contract made Texas one of the largest state-level adopters of the technology in the country.

Common questions

What is the Flock Safety camera controversy in Texas?

Greg Abbott awarded a $26 million state contract to Flock Safety, putting 10,000 surveillance cameras across Texas. State grants cover 75 to 80 percent of the cost for cities and counties using the cameras. Democratic governor candidate Gina Hinojosa is now running ads criticizing the deal.

Stay in the loop

Weekly Lubbock news, deals, and events. Free.

Read next