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New license plate reading cameras to be installed in Sugar Land.

City officials OK'd putting in new license plate reading cameras all around Sugar Land.

Automation company Flock Safety will replace the city's original 70 cameras with ones that carry the latest Flock System technology.

These are installed 8 to 10 feet high on street poles to capture images of vehicle license plates. The data goes to a system that police can access. The system also alerts police to stolen cars, or when a license plate being tracked by police enters a community.

Flock cameras are earning high praise from law enforcement, and the Sugar Land Police Department specifically credits them for helping catch the killer of 28-year-old teacher Wendy Duan last January.

Flock has close to 3,000 cameras installed across greater Houston, including cameras used by the City of Houston.

Surveillance cameras have their advantages, but they also raise concerns, the most significant one being the potential invasion of privacy.

How do we feel about being constantly monitored in public spaces?

And where is that data going?

What do you think about LPR cameras? Write and let us know

Juhi Varma, Fort Bend reporter

juhi.varma@houstonchronicle.com

Need to Know

The Sugar Land City Council greenlit a $1 million, five-year contract with automation company Flock Safety to replace the city's original 70 LPR cameras with ones that carry the latest Flock System technology.

Photo by: Flock Safety

Sugar Land will get new license plate reading cameras.

Sugar Land will spend $1 million to replace its existing license plate reading cameras with new Flock cameras that carry the latest technology.

Growing Fort Bend

The the next phase of construction for the Front Street project in Richmond is set to commence Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

Photo by: City Of Richmond

Detour route in downtown Richmond takes effect this week as Front Street construction begins.

The next phase of construction for Richmond's Front Street Mobility Project will start on Thursday, Jan. 11.

Openings and Closings

Indulge Nail Bar is now open in Katy at 20314 Franz Road. The salon offers nail services, waxing and lash services.

Shout Out

Congratulations to Marc Smith, Fort Bend ISD's new superintendent. Trustees approved Smith's contract at a special meeting on Jan. 8, 2024.

One last thing ...

Coyote sightings are a natural result of the expanding edges of urban areas. Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Constable Chad Norvell shared video showing a coyote scaling a fence and roof in a Pecan Grove backyard. While humans should learn to live alongside wildlife like coyotes, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says keeping them from getting used to humans is essential. Find out more here.