Harris County commissioners on May 28 renewed a contract for the Harris County Sheriff's Office's use of license plate readers to assist with criminal investigations. However, more than a dozen residents spoke against the renewal before the court's vote, sharing concerns about surveillance, data privacy and improper use.

What you need to know: Commissioners renewed a $868,975 contract with public safety technology company Flock Safety to continue the use of license plate readers, or LPRs, as well as a sound detection system that identifies sounds such as gunshots, screeching tires and breaking glass, according to agenda documents.

More details: With a June 6 contract expiration approaching, Harris County's four precinct commissioners voted in favor of the renewal with the possibility to revisit the agreement during a future Commissioners Court meeting. County Judge Lina Hidalgo abstained after pushing to move the item to a different meeting to allow for more public discussion. 

Some context: According to the sheriff's office, Harris County has approximately 480 LPR cameras, which only capture vehicle information, not biometric data.

Three years after Bed Bath & Beyond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed its brick-and-mortar locations, the home goods retailer is reopening in spaces operated by The Container Store at 98 locations across the U.S., including four in Houston.

How we got here: On May 16, The Container Store and Bed Bath & Beyond announced the opening of their first co-branded retail location in Fort Worth, with the plan to open dozens of merged locations across the U.S., according to a news release from the retailer. 

The details: The merged store layouts will allow customers to shop by room, integrating assortments from both retailers, according to the release.

Looking ahead: Over time, the company expects to operate more than 300 stores across multiple formats, including co-branded stores, neighborhood formats, Bed Bath & Beyond Seasonal Living, and buybuy BABY locations, according to the release.

A new Bruster's Real Ice Cream shop near the Grand Parkway opened May 15, according to a May 16 news release from the business. The location offers walk-up and drive-thru service, with more than 24 flavors made fresh daily.

What we know: On the menu, customers can find ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes, blasts, banana splits, waffle cones, ice cream cakes, pies and take-home pints and quarts. The shop also serves non-dairy options and sherbets, according to the release
Per the release, the Tomball store marks the fourth Houston-area Bruster’s location owned by the Martinez family, joining locations in Spring and Conroe.

“We are thrilled to open our fourth Bruster’s location and bring our fresh-made ice cream to the Tomball community,” owner and operator Greg Martinez said in the release. “Our family has proudly served the Houston area for more than two decades, and we look forward to creating memorable experiences for families and friends for years to come.”

• 25555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball