It has been uncovered some license plate readers (LPRs) on state roads in Florida are not complying with the law.
First reported in 2018 that license plate readers were being used across the country including places in Florida.
LPRs are supposed to help deputies find people wanted on warrants or even missing children, but there are questions about their location and if the technology goes too far.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill in July that now allows law enforcement to hire companies to place the devices on state roads, not just county roads. It has been found dozens have been installed in Northeast Florida without a permit from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) – which means state law is being violated.
The permit is required because the right of way on state roads is owned by FDOT, and the agency has policies and procedures that need to be followed as it relates to driver and pedestrian safety.
The LPRs belong to a company called Flock Safety based in Atlanta.
The City of Lakeland will rent 19 automatic license plate readers, commonly called LPRs, through Verra Mobility. Verra Mobility obtains these solar-powered cameras through the subcontractor Flock Group Inc., publicly known as Flock Safety.
Flock’s said its cameras are already in use in more than 3,000 communities in at least 40 states capturing pictures of one billion cars per month.
In 2022, the American Civil Liberties Union warned that Flock is building a mass surveillance system “unlike any seen before in American life.”
But what if the information law enforcement has is wrong or lawmakers change the scope of these cameras’ use, like speeding or enforcing minor infractions?
“When you operate a car, you are open to inspection,” according to Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson who said LPRs raise privacy concerns.
“What if they stop you, search your car, detain you for 45 minutes call a dog the dog sniffs around and doesn’t find anything what about it then,” said Carson.
Lake County commissioners ordered the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to remove 100 Flock Safety cameras installed as part of a pilot program in August 2021, as Click Orlando reported. The cameras were installed to assist with Amber Alerts or vehicle thefts. But commissioners said it was “shocking,” that many of them didn’t know the cameras were in place.