Explore

Rapid Read Rapid Read
St. Petersburg Police Department Declines to Comment on Flock Camera Program Amid State-Level Scrutiny

St. Petersburg Police Department Declines to Comment on Flock Camera Program Amid State-Level Scrutiny

The St. Petersburg Police Department has refused to answer questions regarding its use of Flock Safety cameras, following a directive from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for local governments to remove automated license plate readers from state rights-of-way within 30 days. This directive stems from Governor Ron DeSantis's concerns about privacy and the potential for large networks of cameras to track individuals without suspicion of crime. The St. Petersburg Police Department initiated a 25-camera pilot program in 2022, which later expanded to approximately 54 cameras after the City Council approved a five-year, $730,250 agreement. This expansion occurred without significant public debate or a vote from elected officials, as the contract was part of the consent agenda. Council Vice Chair Richie Floyd has since pushed for a closer examination of the surveillance system, and the City Council recently voted to send the Flock contract to the Public Services and Infrastructure Committee for re...
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
West Palm police spend on AI surveillance, investigations | Exclusive

West Palm police spend on AI surveillance, investigations | Exclusive

West Palm police are investing heavily in AI programs amid concerns that the technology is creating a "surveillance state."
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Florida Halts Use of License Plate Reader Cameras Statewide Amid Privacy Concerns

Florida Halts Use of License Plate Reader Cameras Statewide Amid Privacy Concerns

Police departments across Northeast Florida, including the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Nassau, Clay, and Putnam counties, are discontinuing the use of Flock license plate reader cameras. This decision follows a memo issued by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) blocking the use of these cameras statewide. The FDOT's action came just three days after Governor Ron DeSantis publicly expressed concerns about the widespread deployment of license plate readers, stating, 'I think these cameras, the license plate readers, I think it’s out of control.' The FDOT memo cited 'the recent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways coupled with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes' as reasons for immediate action to protect Floridians' sovereignty and quality of life. All affected cameras are required to be removed within 30 days, with FDOT threatening to remove them if agencies do not comply. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan commended Sheriff Waters' res...
Florida Times-Union Florida Times-Union
Why Florida's fuss over data centers is misplaced | Letters

Why Florida's fuss over data centers is misplaced | Letters

In this week's letters: Readers weigh in on data centers, the Hope Florida scandal, the trade war with Canada, Dolly Parton and more.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Florida Grand Jury Finds DeSantis Administration Misappropriated $10 Million from Medicaid Settlement, No Charges Filed

Florida Grand Jury Finds DeSantis Administration Misappropriated $10 Million from Medicaid Settlement, No Charges Filed

A Florida grand jury has concluded that Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration misappropriated $10 million from a Medicaid settlement. The funds were directed to the Hope Florida Foundation, with most of the money subsequently reaching political groups. The investigation centered on Florida’s $67 million settlement with Centene Corporation over pharmacy benefit management practices in the state Medicaid program. While the grand jury found that the $10 million payment to Hope Florida was carved out of the settlement proceeds and intended to circumvent state laws restricting how executive agencies handle recovered public money, no one was criminally charged. Jurors stated they could not determine who made the original decision to send the taxpayer money to the foundation. The report also noted that former Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida reduced a portion of the proposed settlement to exactly $10 million to avoid other state requirements.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Florida Department of Transportation Orders Removal of License Plate Readers from State Roads Amid Privacy Concerns

Florida Department of Transportation Orders Removal of License Plate Readers from State Roads Amid Privacy Concerns

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has issued an order for local law enforcement agencies to remove automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from state highway rights-of-way within 30 days. This directive comes amidst growing concerns regarding data privacy, potential misuse of the technology, and the rapid expansion of surveillance networks. Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly stated his view that the use of these cameras is 'out of control,' emphasizing the need to prevent Florida from becoming a 'surveillance state' while still supporting law enforcement tools for crime investigation. FDOT will also cease approving future requests for ALPR installations within state highway rights-of-way and will remove any devices that remain after the deadline. The decision follows an 'exponential increase' in ALPR deployments and several reported instances of officers misusing the collected data for personal reasons, such as tracking estranged spouses or former romantic partners.
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
Post reader has a beef with Trump's new beef tariffs | Letters

Post reader has a beef with Trump's new beef tariffs | Letters

Post readers talk about Trump's beef decision, Angie Nixon and the looming mental health crisis in healthcare.
Florida Times-Union Florida Times-Union
Jacksonville enters national debate about Flock cameras

Jacksonville enters national debate about Flock cameras

Council member Jimmy Peluso explores Flock camera moratorium. Police say address privacy concerns without shutting off cameras that help solve crimes.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Florida Governor DeSantis Orders Removal of Highway Surveillance Cameras, Citing Privacy Concerns

Florida Governor DeSantis Orders Removal of Highway Surveillance Cameras, Citing Privacy Concerns

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered local police to remove automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from state roads, signaling a pushback against what he terms an 'expanding digital AI surveillance state.' The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issued a memo revoking existing permits for ALPRs within state highway rights-of-way, giving law enforcement agencies 30 days to remove the devices. Governor DeSantis expressed concerns about the data collected by these cameras, questioning where it goes and how it is used, stating, 'It's really none of the government's damn business' what citizens are doing in their cars. This directive comes amidst reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes associated with ALPRs, which record vehicle sightings and feed searchable databases.
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
FWC officers find body of man who went missing on Lake Osborne

FWC officers find body of man who went missing on Lake Osborne

The last time anyone saw Yonathan Villalobos Franco was Aug. 30 while he rode a personal watercraft on the lake near Lake Worth Beach.
USA Today USA Today
As New York moved to curb ICE cooperation, the agency arrested 2,100

As New York moved to curb ICE cooperation, the agency arrested 2,100

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin cast the immigration sweep as a rebuke to New York leaders and vowed federal arrests would continue.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Byron Donalds' Campaign Ad on Taxes Against David Jolly Deemed Misleading

Byron Donalds' Campaign Ad on Taxes Against David Jolly Deemed Misleading

A political advertisement from Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds' campaign, 'Friends of Byron Donalds,' has been identified as misleading regarding Democratic opponent David Jolly's stance on taxes. The ad claims Jolly intends to raise taxes on income, overtime, tipped wages, and Social Security. While Jolly has expressed support for taxing wages, including tipped income, he clarified that he would support relief for tips above the standard wage rate. However, as governor, Jolly would lack the authority to impose state income taxes on these categories, as Florida does not have a state income tax. The ad also falsely claims Jolly wants to tax Social Security, a position he has never supported, according to the Congressional Record. Donalds' campaign highlights his vote for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' signed by President Trump in 2025, which included tax cuts on overtime and tipped wages. However, these tax deductions are limited, apply only to specific portions of overtime and certain ti...