Florida officials discovered 11 unauthorized Flock license plate readers in St. Lucie County, prompting a 30-day removal notice and privacy concerns among residents.
Key facts
- •St. Lucie County discovered 14 unpermitted Flock cameras, three of which were claimed by the local Sheriff's Office.
- •The county has given owners 30 days to remove the 11 remaining unclaimed cameras.
- •Staff are covering the unpermitted devices with plastic bags to prevent data collection until they are removed.
- •Florida's Department of Transportation recently banned the use of Flock license plate readers on state roads.
- •There are reportedly more than 100,000 Flock cameras in use across the United States.
St. Lucie County officials in Florida recently discovered 11 unpermitted Flock Safety automated license plate readers that were not connected to any local agencies. While county leaders initially believed they were managing 52 cameras, the discovery of 14 additional, unaccounted-for devices revealed that 11 remained unclaimed. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office claimed three of the unpermitted cameras, but the ownership of the remaining 11 devices stays unknown.
By the numbers
County Response and Removal Efforts
County officials have issued a 30-day deadline for the owners of the unpermitted cameras to remove the devices. To prevent potential data collection during this period, staff are placing plastic bags over the cameras. County spokesperson Erick Gill stated that if the cameras remain after the deadline, which for some devices extends to October 20, the county will contact Flock Safety to assist in identifying the owners. One camera has already been removed, though it is unclear who took it down. Interim administrator Mayte Santamaria noted that the county placed bright red notices on the devices to alert owners of the removal requirement.
Privacy Concerns and Regulatory Context
The discovery has sparked privacy concerns among local residents, who have expressed unease regarding the potential for invasive tracking by unknown entities. While some business owners, such as fishing supply manager Todd Richter, stated they do not object to the technology if the operators are transparent, others have urged law enforcement to investigate the origins of the equipment. Flock Safety cameras have faced broader scrutiny regarding security and privacy. Florida's Department of Transportation recently banned the use of these license plate readers on state roads by law enforcement. Despite some local and state governments moving to restrict or remove the devices, reports indicate that more than 100,000 Flock cameras are currently in use across the United States.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Ars Technica, Engadget.
