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April 1, 2025 — The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office has cut off deputy access to the Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) system, a move that goes beyond what a recent Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) memorandum required. The local decision, effective immediately, suspends all law enforcement use of the 25 cameras connected to the network across the county.
FDOT Memo Sparks Local Responses
The FDOT memo, issued last month, directed all agencies to remove license plate readers from state-maintained highways within 30 days, revoking prior approval for the cameras. The memo does not apply to cameras on local roads, private property, or areas outside FDOT’s jurisdiction. While several Big Bend law enforcement agencies have reacted differently—some suspending use entirely, others only removing cameras required by the memo—Gadsden County took the additional step of blocking all deputy access to the Flock system, regardless of camera location.
Colonel Bobby Collins of the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office said the decision was driven by more than just the state directive. “It’s not just the FDOT memorandum,” Collins told local news. “There’s been some concern, reports of misuse, some data privacy concerns, some surveillance schemes.” He said Sheriff Morris Young ordered the suspension as an immediate stopgap while broader safeguards are debated.
No Ownership, No Data Storage
The sheriff’s office manages access to the Flock system but does not own the cameras or store the data. The county commission handles the lease agreements with Flock, while the sheriff’s office controls which deputies can use the database. “We don’t store the data,” Collins said. “Flock has that. So if they don’t have access to the system, they can’t search it.” That means historical license plate data—typically retained for 30 days under Flock’s standard policy—remains inaccessible to deputies once access is cut off.
Flock’s website states that its cameras collect license plate images, vehicle characteristics, date and time stamps, and camera location. The company says local agencies control access, every search is logged, and data is automatically deleted after the retention period, often 30 days depending on local law. However, Flock did not respond to questions about what happens to plate data from cameras that are removed, or whether agencies can still search historical data after cameras are turned off.
Privacy Debate Intensifies
Governor Ron DeSantis has weighed in on the broader ALPR controversy, saying the technology should be restricted to criminal investigations and not used for mass surveillance. “If they can create a dossier on your movements, they would be able to make a fortune in selling that to companies for advertising and product placement,” DeSantis said during a recent public appearance. Privacy advocates have echoed those concerns, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida calling for a statewide moratorium on ALPR use until clear regulations are in place.
Impact on Investigations
Collins acknowledged that the Flock system has been a valuable investigative tool, including in several homicide cases in Gadsden County. He compared the cameras to eyewitnesses because they provide investigators with vehicle movement data after a crime. “The Flock camera system is like having eyewitnesses,” Collins said. “Now we’re just gonna have to rely on just good old-fashioned police work.” He said he understands both sides of the debate: residents who see the cameras as a public safety asset and those who fear being watched.
What’s Next for Flock in the Region
Other Big Bend agencies are taking a more measured approach. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office, for example, announced it is reviewing which cameras are on state roads and will comply with the FDOT memo, but has not suspended all Flock access. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said it is still evaluating the memo’s scope. Gadsden County’s decision sets it apart as one of the most aggressive responses to the privacy concerns.
The debate over automated license plate readers is unlikely to end soon. With no statewide law governing their use, individual agencies are left to set their own policies. The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office has made clear it will not restore deputy access until “safeguards are in place to reassure the citizens of Florida.” Until then, the county’s 25 Flock cameras remain physically installed, but their data is effectively off-limits to
