ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Flock cameras are credited with helping St. Petersburg police make an arrest in a hit-and-run that happened nearly a month ago.
Just just earlier this week, the state gave law enforcement agencies 30 days to remove all flock cameras from state roads and highways.
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Despite the state ordering flock cameras to be removed from state roads and highways, some in St. Petersburg are still feeling uneasy.
“I don’t personally appreciate having my movements tracked for whatever reason that they’re doing so,” said one man identified as Tobi.
Lieutenant Jason Levey with St. Petersburg Police said the cameras, or license plate readers that are made by flock, only capture license plates and the make and model of vehicles. Just this week, he said Flock was used to arrest a woman in connection to a fatal hit and run Aug. 8.
“We utilized one of our tools, which is flock, and it came up with a potential vehicle that was in the area shortly before the crash happened. So we took that lead, investigated it, ended up finding the suspect, and had a warrant issued for her arrest,” he said.
Levey said the technology was even more helpful given the circumstances.
“At the time, there was little to no information, there was evidence at the scene, some witness information,” he said.
But Lauren Downing believes the benefits of flock aren’t outweighing the cons.
“I mean we’ve already seen cases of them here in Florida and other states where they’re being misused to track ex-girlfriends and things of that nature,” she said.
She acknowledged that the technology can be a positive, but doesn’t think that justifies having them around.
“There’s no doubt that they could potentially do good, but you don’t give up freedom for safety,” she said.
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