The use of AI-powered license plate recognition cameras in Texarkana is generating growing public discussion as residents weigh the benefits of crime-fighting technology against concerns over privacy and government surveillance.
Brandon Cowan, founder of the grassroots group DeFlock Texarkana, joined Texarkana Talks on Thursday morning to explain why he believes more people should understand what the cameras are capable of and how the technology is being used in the community.
During the interview, Cowan said his concerns are not centered on law enforcement solving crimes but rather on the collection and storage of information about the daily movements of ordinary citizens who are not suspected of any wrongdoing.
“The technology is incredibly powerful,” Cowan explained, noting that the cameras can identify much more than a vehicle’s license plate. According to Cowan, the artificial intelligence can catalog vehicle make, model, color, distinguishing features such as bumper stickers, roof racks, decals, damage, and even cracked windshields, creating a searchable record of vehicles traveling through the area.
Cowan said he has spent months researching the technology and requesting public records related to the local camera network. He discussed what information he has obtained from local governments, questions he still has about policies governing the system, and why he believes citizens deserve greater transparency regarding how the cameras are deployed and how long collected data is retained.
One of Cowan’s primary concerns is the amount of information being collected on people who have committed no crime.
“We’re all being recorded simply by driving down the road,” he said, adding that he believes many residents are unaware of just how much information modern AI systems can gather from a passing vehicle.
Supporters of the technology argue that the cameras have become valuable investigative tools for law enforcement. Across the country, agencies have credited license plate recognition systems with helping recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, identify suspect vehicles, and provide leads in investigations involving violent crimes and property offenses.
Cowan acknowledged those successes but questioned whether stronger safeguards, additional public oversight, or local policy changes should accompany the expanding use of the technology.
Throughout the conversation, he encouraged residents to become informed, review publicly available information, ask questions of elected officials, and participate in the discussion about where the balance should be drawn between public safety and personal privacy.
The interview also explored the broader implications of artificial intelligence in public surveillance, the sharing of information between agencies, and what Cowan believes should happen next as the community continues to debate the issue.
As AI technology becomes increasingly common in policing and public safety, conversations like this one are likely to become more frequent—not only in Texarkana but across the country.
Whether residents ultimately view the cameras as a valuable crime-fighting tool or an unnecessary expansion of surveillance, Cowan hopes the discussion encourages greater public awareness and involvement.
Listen to the complete interview with Brandon Cowan below to hear the full conversation and decide for yourself where you stand on the issue.
