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Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

texastribune.org

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Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#31

Post by Zak »

lostlogin wrote: post #26
qwerpy wrote: post #10

Strange that someone else’s question “Did it reduce catalytic converter theft?”, directly relevant to the article, got downvoted to death. Not sure if we’re meant to have discussions here or just dutifully complain about topics that are fashionable to complain about.

I wondered that too. It doesn't say, but does state: "Data from the license plate readers, known in law enforcement as LPRs, was searched 62,000 times in 2025, leading to about 1,660 cleared catalytic converter theft cases, a report from the authority said." Also, how many missing people are there? finding 10k seems quite a lot. “one of the most effective ways Flock has been able to help find, just last year, over 10…

The term "missing person" calls to mind someone who is in serious danger, but a majority are something minor, like someone quitting a job without notice or taking an unannounced trip. The vast majority are resolved by finding the person alive.

Flock helping close 10K cases doesn't surprise me at all, but it doesn't meant those people wouldn't have been found without it. It may mean less work for the police, but the police don't usually put a lot of effort into a missing person without evidence they're in danger.

Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#32

Post by floralhangnail »

ihsw wrote: post #4

Did it reduce catalytic converter theft?

I doubt it helped much directly. The nationwide ring that was dismantled recently was busted partially due to surveillance from a pole mounted camera though. The article title initially baited my rage, but I can plausibly see how LPRC's could be used to track catalytic converter thieves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%932022_catalytic_co...

Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#33

Post by bryanlarsen »

chadgpt3 wrote: post #13
ceejayoz wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/gun-laws/stand-your-ground links to https://www.uslawshield.com/defend-property-texas/ > Texas law allows you to use deadly force to protect property if you would be justified in using force, and you reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to prevent the imminent commission of specific enumerated property crimes. These are arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during…

You can legally murder people to prevent "mischief", as long as it's at night? Wow.

IANAL.

Mischief is typically a serious crime; the legal and common uses of the word are different and confusing.

But I don't think Texas is restricting this to the more serious felony mischief here.

Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#34

Post by hopelessluca »

SoftTalker wrote: post #5
k310 wrote: post #3

Texas > In 2023, the Texas Legislature unanimously passed a law raising auto insurance costs for Texans by $1 to combat rampant catalytic converter theft. > The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, led by a board mostly appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, has turned the $1 fee hike into at least 3,200 Flock cameras. More coming. Meanwhile, secure your EV!!! Batteries will be next!!!

In Texas I'm surprised it's not legal to shoot a catalytic converter thief if caught in the act. That's what they used to do for cattle rustlers.

My comment may sound cliché, but I genuinely believe this, no material possession is worth more than a human life. A catalytic converter can be replaced, a life cannot.

Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#35

Post by exabrial »

SoftTalker wrote: post #5
k310 wrote: post #3

Texas > In 2023, the Texas Legislature unanimously passed a law raising auto insurance costs for Texans by $1 to combat rampant catalytic converter theft. > The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, led by a board mostly appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, has turned the $1 fee hike into at least 3,200 Flock cameras. More coming. Meanwhile, secure your EV!!! Batteries will be next!!!

In Texas I'm surprised it's not legal to shoot a catalytic converter thief if caught in the act. That's what they used to do for cattle rustlers.

I would love to live in a world where thieves feared for their lives.

Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#36

Post by aidenn0 »

nonethewiser wrote: post #21
chadgpt3 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can legally murder people to prevent "mischief", as long as it's at night? Wow.

“Legal” murder makes absolutely no sense. If its legal its not murder. You mean “legally kill”

It can also mean unjustified/immoral killing, which can be a useful definition (otherwise e.g. a true dictator can never murder anyone).

Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#37

Post by budman1 »

chadgpt3 wrote: post #13
ceejayoz wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/gun-laws/stand-your-ground links to https://www.uslawshield.com/defend-property-texas/ > Texas law allows you to use deadly force to protect property if you would be justified in using force, and you reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to prevent the imminent commission of specific enumerated property crimes. These are arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during…

You can legally murder people to prevent "mischief", as long as it's at night? Wow.

It ain't murder. (other words apply)

Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#38

Post by Geonode »

hopelessluca wrote: post #34
SoftTalker wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Texas I'm surprised it's not legal to shoot a catalytic converter thief if caught in the act. That's what they used to do for cattle rustlers.

My comment may sound cliché, but I genuinely believe this, no material possession is worth more than a human life. A catalytic converter can be replaced, a life cannot.

The thief shouldn't value something more than his life then.

Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#39

Post by CoffeeOnWrite »

floralhangnail wrote: post #32
ihsw wrote: post #4

Did it reduce catalytic converter theft?

I doubt it helped much directly. The nationwide ring that was dismantled recently was busted partially due to surveillance from a pole mounted camera though. The article title initially baited my rage, but I can plausibly see how LPRC's could be used to track catalytic converter thieves. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%932022_catalytic_co...

(a pole mounted camera for which a warrant had been obtained...)

Re: Lawmakers added $1 to car insurance policies. That money paid for Flock cameras

#40

Post by bryanlarsen »

hopelessluca wrote: post #34
SoftTalker wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Texas I'm surprised it's not legal to shoot a catalytic converter thief if caught in the act. That's what they used to do for cattle rustlers.

My comment may sound cliché, but I genuinely believe this, no material possession is worth more than a human life. A catalytic converter can be replaced, a life cannot.

That's not cliché; Texas is the only state that applies stand-your-ground to crimes against property alone.
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