Photo by Eloise Saucillo
On September 22, 2025, the San Saba County Commissioner’s Court approved a resolution to accept a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to allow the San Saba County Sheriff’s Department to enter a Multi-Use-Agreement for Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras to be place in TxDOT right of ways. The stated purpose of the program was to increase public safety and aid in crime prevention efforts.
We were told the program would assist law enforcement in their efforts to stop heinous crimes such as drug trafficking, child and human trafficking, and protection of children missing based on Amber Alerts. Additionally, it was said to assist local law enforcement agencies as well as the Department of Public Safety.
My office has been researching the program due to the recent concerns raised regarding abuse of the information and the security of the storage of obtained information.
As of, August 31, 2026, San Saba County Sheriff’s Office is communicating the cancellation of the Multi-Use-Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation. As soon as it is legal for us to cover or remove the cameras, they will no longer be used in San Saba County.