Pinellas County Sheriff Defends Flock Cameras Amid State Removal Order
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is publicly defending the use of Flock cameras, also known as automated license plate readers (ALPRs), despite a state order for their removal from state roads within the month. Some agencies in the Tampa Bay area are discontinuing their use of these devices entirely. Sheriff Gualtieri stated that his agency has utilized ALPRs for two decades and clarified that the 73 Flock cameras in Pinellas County only capture still photographs when a car passes, not continuous video or surveillance. He emphasized that these cameras have been instrumental in solving cases involving abducted children and vehicle thefts. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issued the removal order due to concerns about an 'exponential increase in deployments coupled with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns and surveillance schemes.' 
