Florida Department of Transportation announces removal of Flock cameras on state highways

The Florida Department of Transportation issued a memo Aug. 31 revoking all previously issued permits for license plate readers (LPRs) — which includes the controversial Flock cameras — by state roads, giving a 30-day deadline for all of the cameras to be removed. 

Department Chief Operating Officer Will Watts penned the memo to local law enforcement agencies explaining that those with the permits for the cameras must remove the cameras within the given period and that any remaining cameras will be removed by the department. He noted that the department retains the right to immediately remove any LPR that poses an immediate safety concern. 

“While Florida law limits the issuance of permits for LPR systems to law enforcement agencies, the recent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways, coupled with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes merit immediate action to preserve Floridians’ sovereignty and quality of life,” Watts wrote. 

According to NBC News, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis previewed the action last week, voicing concerns over the cameras.

Commenting on the issue on Real America’s Voice podcast Aug. 28, DeSantis said the surveillance cameras might be recording more data than just license plates. 

“These cameras that are out there now — who’s to say they’re only doing the license plate? Now, they say that. I think it’s capturing people in their cars,” DeSantis said. “I think it’s capturing way more information than they’re letting on. And you’ve seen the abuse.”

The department’s directive comes days after Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican, announced an investigation into Flock Safety cameras amid significant expansion of the cameras’ use around the country and questions of data usage, as Zeale News previously reported. In his announcement, he also cited instances of data misuse and errors.

However, proponents of the camera systems have cited their ability to quickly apprehend criminals and locate missing persons. Flock Safety commented on Florida’s new directive in a statement to local outlet News 6. 

“Flock’s technology is an important public safety tool for law enforcement agencies across Florida, helping officers solve serious crimes, find missing people, recover stolen vehicles, and support safer communities,” the company said. “In just the last few weeks in Florida, the technology was used to find missing children, led to the arrest of a murder suspect and assisted in solving numerous other crimes.”

Flock Safety highlighted its support of legislature passing regulations on the use of the cameras.

“Rather than banning a critical public safety tool, we support thoughtful legislation and strong privacy, transparency, and accountability guardrails that ensure technology is used responsibly,” it said, “while preserving law enforcement’s ability to use effective tools to keep people safe.”

Local county sheriff offices have already begun taking down LPRs. News 6 reported that Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said his agency would fully comply with the new directive and cease use of LPRs immediately. He noted in a statement to the outlet that LPRs have been helpful for public safety officials but said the best path forward for the time being is to cease their use. 

“LPR technology has proven to be an enormously valuable investigative tool, assisting our agency in solving serious crimes and locating missing and vulnerable individuals,” Waters stated. “However, given the decision made at the state level and the concerns expressed by members of our community, I have determined that discontinuing the use of this technology is the appropriate course of action at this time.”