Leon County Commissioners Unanimously Pull Flock Camera Funding After Public Pressure

The Leon County Commission voted unanimously to pull an agenda item that would have earmarked $440,000 to expand Flock license plate reader (LPR) cameras.

The funding source came from a regional public safety grant, not local tax dollars, but numerous speakers from the packed crowd voiced their opposition to what they perceived to be a violation of their privacy rights.

“Tracking thousands of innocent citizens who are just trying to drive to work, drop their kids off at school, or go to the grocery store is an overreach into our privacy,” said Devin Nobles, a computer engineer who addressed the Commission. 

Eventually, Commissioners motioned to pull the item. Commission Chair Christian Caban told those gathered that while he supports law enforcement, he sees Flock cameras as an invasion of privacy.

“I hate those damn cameras,” Caban said.

Tuesday’s decision is the latest sign that Flock opponents are gaining momentum. Gubernatorial candidates Byron Donalds and James Fishback have recently come out against the technology, as have multiple candidates in the race for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Leon County.

In June, the Bay County Libertarian Party held a small protest in Panama City calling on local leaders to “De-Flock” Bay County.

Florida has nearly 7,500 LPRs, according to a report by WUFT. Law enforcement agencies say the technology helps solve crimes and catch criminals.

However, critics say the cameras allow for constant monitoring of average citizens, creating a “mosaic” of surveillance that violates the spirit of the Fourth Amendment. The issue has united everyone from conservative Republicans to progressive groups like the American Civil Liberties Union.

Other concerns raised by Flock opponents include instances of alleged misuse by police officers who have used the technology to surveil former partners. They also say footage recorded by LPRs can sometimes be publicly accessed on the internet, enabling stalking and other invasive activity.