Odessa, TX Privacy & Surveillance: License Plate Readers (2026)
Key Facts
- Data retention
- 30 days, then deleted
- Vendor/platform
- Flock Safety camera network
- Allowed use
- Law enforcement purposes only
- Tracked categories
- Stolen vehicles, wanted persons, Amber/Silver Alerts
- Community cameras
- Free integration via Flock demo request
Summary
Odessa police run a citywide Flock Safety license plate camera network that deletes non-hit data after 30 days and limits use strictly to law enforcement.
Data is stored for 30 days then deleted. Only results of police actions are kept for review. LPRs are never used for personal or non-law enforcement purposes.
Full Breakdown
The Odessa Police Department operates automated license plate readers through Flock Safety, a network of cameras that scans passing vehicles and checks plates against watchlists for stolen vehicles, Amber and Silver Alerts, violent crime suspects, and wanted persons. Under OPD's published privacy rules, captured plate data is stored for 30 days and then deleted; only footage tied to an actual police action is kept longer for case review, and the system is restricted to law-enforcement purposes only. Community organizations and neighborhoods can also request a Flock Safety demo to connect their own cameras into OPD's network at no cost.
Violations & Fines
OPD policy bars personal or non-law-enforcement use of LPR data; the city's published policy names no specific penalty for violating this restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Odessa keep license plate reader data?
Can community groups connect cameras to Odessa's Flock network?
Does Odessa's policy address sharing plate data with ICE or federal agencies?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Odessa
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