By Jim Carchidi
August 31, 2026 (updated September 1, 2026)
License plate reader (LPR) systems including Flock cameras will no longer be in place on Florida state roads. Permits issued for the devices were revoked in an Aug. 31 memo from the Florida Department of Transportation, which included the following statement:
“While Florida law limits the issuance of permits for LPR systems to law enforcement agencies, the recent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways, coupled with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns and surveillance schemes merit immediate action to preserve Floridians’ sovereignty and quality of life.”
Information and security
The light pole-mounted cameras are commonly nicknamed for the manufacturing company, Flock Safety, but are also made by companies such as Motorola Solutions, Axon, and Rekor. The AI-based system records information on passing cars and stores the details on a secure server. The location, license plate, color, make and model, and unique markings are available to law enforcement via a searchable database.
Despite success in aiding the apprehension of suspects, the devices have become the focus of a national debate over the security of collected data after reports of law enforcement staff misusing the information. Questions have also been raised over whether the cameras can be used to track people on foot. Numerous incidents of vandalism have been documented with cameras spray-painted, damaged, or completely removed from their mounts.
Public concern inspired DeFlock, a crowdsourced mapping project aimed at tracking local LPR placement through zip code and address searches.
Local reactions
While the FDOT memo revokes LPR permits on state roads, the devices are also used on some municipal roadways and intersections. More than 300 LPR cameras are stationed throughout Orange County with 160 used by the sheriff's office. An estimated 7,000-10,000 LPRs are used across Florida with more than 120,000 of the devices in use nationwide.
During a Monday press conference in Jacksonville, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the cameras can be useful to law enforcement, but state legislation is necessary to ensure the security of the information and who can access it.
"What we don't want in the state of Florida is to have a digital AI surveillance state where everything we're doing is being tracked at all times," he said.
Before the FDOT memo, some statewide law enforcement agencies were in the process of removing the devices in response to community backlash. After the FDOT memo, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood issued a social media statement announcing the countywide removal of LPR cameras.
“The LPR has been an incredible tool for public safety," he said. "But until we have clarity, guidance and a legal framework from the Florida Legislature regarding this technology, it’s no longer a tool we can use.”
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lima said his office will suspend LPR use and cited the need for legislation to "establish clear statewide standards governing authorized uses." But also credits the program for assisting in more than 800 investigations and over 530 arrests, and helping law enforcement locate 34 missing or endangered citizens.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey posted a similar statement explaining his agency’s removal of the devices. The City of Oviedo announced the immediate removal of its eight LPR cameras during an Aug. 31 work session. Oviedo began a lease agreement with Flock in September of 2025, but questions regarding data access and security were recently brought up during city council meetings.
In an email received on the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 1, a representative from the Orange County Sheriff's Office told The Orlando Real the office would comply with FDOT’s direction where LPR use is no longer permitted, but will continue using the devices in locations where use is permitted.
What's next
Per the FDOT memo, the devices must be removed from all state roads within 30 days. Florida will no longer approve or issue permits for LPR systems on any state roads.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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