This is the full text from the weekly newsletter last month on July 17th:

>License Plate Reader Program Update

>The Addison Police Department recently transitioned to a new provider, Flock Safety, for its License Plate Reader (LPR) technology. Since implementing the new system, the Department has received several questions from community members about how the technology works, how the data is used, and the safeguards in place to protect privacy. To help answer these common questions, the Addison Police Department has compiled the following list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

>Q: What are LPR cameras?
A: License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras are tools used by law enforcement to capture images of vehicle license plates and basic vehicle characteristics (such as color and type). Their primary purpose is to help identify vehicles involved in crimes, locate stolen cars, and support investigations. These cameras are a proactive public safety measure that helps deter crime and improve response times.

>Q: Has LPR assisted Addison PD with criminal investigations?
A: Yes, LPR technology has proven to be a valuable investigative tool, assisting Addison police officers and detectives in identifying leads, locating vehicles, and solving crimes. The numbers below illustrate the number of criminal investigations in which LPR technology has successfully assisted the Addison Police Department.

>2025: 105 LPR Successes
2024: 106 LPR Successes
2023: 98 LPR Successes

>Q: What is Flock Safety?
A: Flock Safety is a company that makes technology designed to help law enforcement, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods investigate crime. The company’s best-known product is license plate reader (LPR) cameras, but the company also offers video cameras, drones, and gunshot detection sensors.

>Q: What Flock Safety products are utilized by Addison PD?
A: Addison currently utilizes 65 LPR cameras and 20 video cameras supplied by Flock Safety.

>Q: What information is collected on LPR?
A: The system captures license plate numbers, vehicle make, model, and color, as well as the date, time, and location of the image. No personal identifying information, such as the driver’s identity, is collected.

>Q: How long are LPR and video camera data stored?
A: LPR and video camera data are retained for 30 days and are automatically deleted after that retention period. Specific data related to crimes and ongoing investigations can be manually retained longer by detectives.

>Q: Who has access to the LPR data?
A: The Addison Police Department controls access to our data, and we provide it only to other law enforcement agencies for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Flock neither controls nor shares our data.

>Q: Does either the LPR or video cameras supplied by Flock utilize facial recognition?
A: No. Neither the LPR nor video cameras utilize facial recognition.

>Q: Are there safeguards to prevent misuse to the LPR data?
A: Yes. Strict policies govern the system's use. Every search must be tied to a legitimate law enforcement purpose, and each search is logged and audited.

>Q: What is the history of LPRs in Addison?
A: The Addison City Council first authorized the use of License Plate Reader (LPR) technology in 2018 as part of a pilot program. Following the program's success, the City Council approved an expansion of the LPR network in 2021. In 2025, the City Council approved replacing the City's existing LPR network with new technology provided by Flock Safety, enhancing the Department's ability to assist in criminal investigations while continuing to support public safety efforts.

>Q: How are the LPRs and video cameras supplied by Flock Safety funded?
A: Beginning in 2026, the Addison Police Department began receiving funding through the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) Grant Program, which covers 80% of the cost of the LPR and video cameras. The remaining 20% is funded through the Town's IT Replacement Fund, reducing the financial impact on local taxpayers while supporting the Department's crime prevention and investigative efforts.

>Q: Who can I contact for additional questions regarding LPR cameras?
A: You may email the police chief at policechief@addisontx.gov or call 972-450-7100.

>"It would be important that these be located in places that are on the edges of the park, so to speak, so that they're not impacting the experience of the park itself," O'Connor said. "They would need to have some adjacency to roadways and they would be also designed so that the sign itself is kind of visually minimized, whether it's on the corner or otherwise." 

>"These large-format signs can be very lucrative," he added.

>"It becomes an art piece, not just a way to generate revenue," Council Member Lorie Blair said. "I would totally support what you're trying to accomplish."

>Others expressed some hesitation.

>"I'm reluctant to approve any additional intrusion of advertising content into our everyday experiences in the built environment," Council Member Paul Ridley said. "At the same time, I recognize the imperative that you're operating under to increase revenues of the parks department in order to keep up the fine service that you provide to our park system." 

July 3rd:

• Addison - Kaboomtown @ Addison Circle
• Carrollton - Independence Day Fireworks Show @ Josey Ranch Athletic Complex
• Dallas - FIFA Fan Festival @ Fair Park
• Dallas - Sensory Sensitive 4th of July Celebration @ Cypress Waters
• Garland - Red, White & You @ Downtown Garland
• Irving - Outlaw Music Festival @ Toyota Music Factory
• Irving - Sparks & Stripes @ Las Colinas
• Plano - Patriotic Pops Concert @ Downtown Plano

July 4th:

• Downtown Dallas:
  • Main Street Social @ Main St
  • Independence Day Celebration @ Klyde Warren Park
  • America 250 Light Show @ Main Street Garden
• Dallas - FIFA Fan Festival @ Fair Park
• Dallas - Declarations: America & Texas Independence @ Fair Park
• Irving - Sparks & Stripes morning parade @ Las Colinas
• Plano - All American 4th @ Oak Point Park
• Richardson - Family 4th Celebration @ Breckinridge Park

Let me know if there's any others in the area that I missed!

https://www.dart.org/about/news-and-events/newsreleases/newsrelease-detail/dart-announces-july-3-and-4-holiday-schedule-and-dartable-events

>Friday, July 3, 30-minute headways from 4:00 p.m. until the end of service.

I was pretty impressed by the screen. It wasn't that busy, which is nice for getting a spot but also means less energy from the crowd. I think today is the last day for it, I wonder if they'll do it again for the finals.

For comparison the FIFA fan fest in fair park was much bigger, busier, and livelier, which was fun. Concessions were really expensive but that's what I expected. So between the two it just depends on if you want something more relaxing or exciting.

Previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/AddisonTX/comments/1tfgyz4/the_princeton_development_pivots_to_mixed_use/

Their first request was denied 7-0, this time it was denied 5-2.

Reasons P&Z Members Gave for Denial

• Against rentals
• Pro office
• Other
  • Potential shadow issues due to height and courtyard width
  • Improves pedestrian connectivity, but not enough
  • Removes more trees than it replants
  • Greenspace is too small

Reasons the Developers Gave to Encourage Approval

• They have worked with P&Z and staff for 2 years and did the following as requested:
  • Added ownership and office components
  • Held a community meeting and addressed feedback
  • Worked with surrounding property owners to fix sidewalk gaps
  • Created and presented a shadow map
  • Increased open space and trees saved
  • Got Green Building bronze standard
  • Made 3% of parking spots have EV chargers
  • Added public art
• Other reasons
  • Property is not near any single family houses
  • This office has no tenants, has asbestos and large maintenance issues
  • Surrounding offices have higher vacancy than DFW average

Votes

• Denial - 5
  • Alan Then (appointed by Howard Freed*)
  • Chelsey Smith (appointed by Bruce Arfsten)
  • Jimmy Barker (appointed by Marlin Willesen)
  • Denise Fansler (appointed by Darren Gardner)
  • Dave Collins (appointed by Randy Smith)
• Against denial - 2
  • Tyler Wright (appointed by Chris DeFrancisco)
  • EJ Copeland (appointed by Dan Liscio)

*Howard Freed was not reelected, but his P&Z appointment still remains until they are reappointed later this year.

Video link: https://addisontx.new.swagit.com/videos/388459

Layout to help visualize:

https://preview.redd.it/flplirlnyc2h1.png?width=1946&format=png&auto=webp&s=e7a452158455789468d448ed48a84bbd44eaa613

City	2020	2024	2025	1-year diff	1-year % diff	5-year diff	5-year % diff
Addison	17,090	17,257	17,195	-62	-0.36%	105	0.61%
Carrollton	133,482	135,456	134,562	-894	-0.66%	1,080	0.80%
Dallas	1,304,341	1,326,087	1,329,491	3,404	0.26%	25,150	1.89%
Farmers Branch	35,572	37,341	38,320	979	2.62%	2,748	7.17%
Garland	246,190	250,431	249,625	-806	-0.32%	3,435	1.38%
Glenn Heights	15,854	19,752	20,327	575	2.91%	4,473	22.01%
Irving	256,781	258,060	257,076	-984	-0.38%	295	0.11%
Plano	285,465	293,286	293,028	-258	-0.09%	7,563	2.58%
Richardson	119,460	118,221	118,542	321	0.27%	-918	-0.77%
Rowlett	62,550	68,123	67,890	-233	-0.34%	5,340	7.87%
University Park	25,279	25,268	25,323	55	0.22%	44	0.17%

Last week I put out a survey, here's the responses. If you grouped Uptown, Victory Park, and West Village into Oak Lawn it would be by far the highest voted area.

Neighborhood	Votes
Uptown Dallas	15
Downtown Dallas	15
Bishop Arts	11
Addison Circle	8
CityLine Richardson	7
Deep Ellum	7
Victory Park	5
SMU / Mockingbird	5
Downtown Plano	4
West Village	4
Lower / Lowest Greenville	4
Oak Lawn	3
Downtown Garland	2
Cedars	2
Las Colinas	2
Downtown Carrollton	2
Prestonwood North Dallas	1
Arts District	1
Trinity Groves	1
Lakewood	1
Downtown Garland	1
Trinity Mills	1
Klyde Warren Park	1
Downtown Carrollton	1
Turtle Creek	1
North Carrollton/Frankford Donut Shop and QT	1
Walnut Hill Station Area	1
CityPlace	1