CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
If you’ve driven through Cape Coral recently and noticed license plate reader cameras still in place in certain areas, you may have wondered, “I thought those were supposed to be going away.” You’re not alone.
“I don’t mind if they’re still there. It doesn’t bother me,” said Cape Coral resident Mary Pugliese.
However, not everyone feels the same.
“I would say take them down completely,” said visitor Scott Zarro.
Most license plate readers are made by Flock Safety.
While these cameras are still up and visible, that doesn’t mean you’re being watched. Cape Coral police say these license plate readers are currently not active or being used. That decision came after the Florida Department of Transportation pulled the plug on the cameras being used on state roads.
Still, the cameras remain a month later. Many people are now asking if they’re not being used, why are they still up?
“You feel a little bit uncomfortable, but it’s out of our control,” said Zarro.
Even though the cameras are not active, their presence is still making people anxious and skeptical.
“They’re watching everybody. That’s what I think. I don’t trust our government today. I don’t trust our police departments. Unfortunately, I don’t,” said Zarro.
Visitors like Brian Boone say the cameras could be misleading, especially for people like him who aren’t familiar with the area.
“If I saw a Flock camera standing up right on the side of the road, my assumption would be that it is active,” said Boone.
Cape Coral police say Flock is responsible for removing the cameras and the department has requested that the cameras be taken down.
Until the cameras come down, some people say it’s time to make it clear they’re no longer in use.
“I don’t know, put some kind of temporary sign on each camera that says it’s disabled, taking them down would be the obvious choice. I’m sure it’s more complicated than that,” said Boone.
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