Florida County Discovers 11 Unpermitted Flock Surveillance Cameras

An audit in St. Lucie County, Florida, revealed 11 Flock surveillance cameras that were installed without permits or publicly identified owners, according to a report by the Washington Post. The discovery comes after the county decided to remove Flock cameras from its area.

County officials initially believed only 52 Flock cameras were active in St. Lucie County. However, a subsequent review uncovered a total of 14 unpermitted devices. The county sheriff’s office claimed three of these cameras as their own, leaving 11 unaccounted for.

Residents have expressed unease about the presence of the unidentified cameras. "I’m not happy about it unless I know who it is," said Todd Richter, a 70-year-old resident. "And I don't."

Ty Grant, who lives near one of the cameras in Fort Pierce, stated, "That makes me feel very unsafe," after learning the camera's owner was unknown.

County officials placed notices on the unpermitted cameras, giving owners a deadline between October 16 and October 20 to claim them. If the cameras remain unclaimed, county workers are prepared to cover their lenses with plastic bags.

A spokesperson for Flock stated that while the company often assists with permits where required, permitting regulations vary by location and are not universally necessary. The company has offered to work with St. Lucie County officials to address the discrepancies.

This situation occurs amidst broader concerns regarding the proliferation of Flock cameras, which are equipped with AI technology to monitor traffic and track vehicles. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis previously directed the state’s Department of Transportation to revoke permits for automated license-plate scanning systems, including Flock products, following public outcry over privacy issues.

In Nassau County, New York, residents pass a Flock Safety camera approximately every 9.5 miles, placing them among the most surveilled drivers in the nation. An analysis by the Washington Post indicated that Nassau County has over 330 Flock cameras across its roadways.

Meanwhile, several towns in Connecticut have implemented license-plate-reading cameras on school buses, a different application of the technology used to identify traffic violations. Unlike Flock's continuous surveillance, these school bus cameras are activated by specific events, such as drivers failing to stop for flashing red lights.

Concerns about widespread surveillance technology have been voiced by public officials. Mark Beall, Pentagon AI police director, warned that technologies like Flock cameras could contribute to a "China-like surveillance state" if not carefully managed.