Privacy debate follows expansion of LPD technology program
Privacy debate follows expansion of LPD technology program
https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/laredo-police-address-surveillance-tech-flock-22310491.php
Publish Date: 2026-06-22 14:35:00
Source Domain: www.lmtonline.com
A photo of a drone used by the Laredo Police Department on June 15, 2026, at City Hall.
David Gomez Jr. /Laredo Morning Times
Laredo Police Department Chief Miguel Rodriguez addresses the Laredo City Council on June 15, 2026, at City Hall.
David Gomez Jr. /Laredo Morning Times
Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and District IV Councilmember Mike Garza with a drone in the foreground on June 15, 2026, at City Hall.
David Gomez Jr. /Laredo Morning Times
As the Laredo Police Department expands its use of cameras, drones and real-time intelligence tools, city officials say residents should continue asking questions about how the technology is used.
Police Chief Miguel Rodriguez recently outlined the department’s use of Flock license plate readers and other law enforcement technologies for crime prevention, criminal investigations, vehicle recovery, public safety enhancement and data management. The presentation led to a lengthy discussion about privacy, oversight and the role of technology in modern policing.
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Rodriguez defended the department’s technology program, saying tools such as Flock cameras, drones and other systems have helped LPD move toward what he described as “prevention-first policing.”
But the presentation also drew criticism from public speakers who raised concerns about privacy, cybersecurity, immigration-related searches and access to the system by outside agencies.
District III Councilmember Melissa Cigarroa said the public should remain wary, not necessarily in opposition to the technology but as part of holding government accountable.
“I think they should remain skeptical in the sense that we should always hold this department to account,” Cigarroa said.
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Rodriguez said the department understands those concerns, particularly because critics pointed to examples from other communities where technology had allegedly been misused.
“There were instances where they mentioned that some of the departments,…
