Cape Coral ends license plate reader camera use after Florida DOT orders removal from state roads
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore announced Tuesday that the city will stop using license plate reading cameras, citing the need for clearer regulations from state officials.
“Officials in Tallahassee need to clear the framework for this technology,” Sizemore said.
The decision comes after the Florida Department of Transportation ordered the removal of license plate reading cameras from state roads within 30 days. DeSoto County also announced it will remove its cameras, and dozens of police agencies across Florida have indicated they will follow suit.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office was reviewing the order before making a decision. Sheriff Carmine Marceno previously defended the technology, saying, “People were upset with them when we first said we had LPR. But LPR have solved major crimes in this county.”
LCSO shared an additional statement on Tuesday saying, “There is no doubt that technology can be a double edged sword. While it has helped us in major investigations and locating missing persons, we must understand the general public’s fear of misuse. We will comply with the orders by our State partners while the legislature straightens the rules and regulations regarding the use of certain technologies. Our hope is that they move quickly as to not jeopardize public safety.”
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell expressed support for the cameras, stating, “Criminals are using technology to commit crime, and they need it to use to catch them.” Charlotte County has no plans to stop using the cameras.
Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the issue last week, saying, “I’m all about having law enforcement have tools to be able to hold criminals accountable,” while also expressing concerns about Florida becoming a surveillance state.
Some residents, like Brent Rowbotham of Punta Gorda, welcomed the decision to halt the use of the cameras. “I felt like it was a great, great thing that they did not go forward and they’re going to stop it. And maybe at least put some kind of regulations into it before they, you know, bring it out full force,” Rowbotham said.
Collier County and Fort Myers have not yet announced whether they will make changes to their use of the technology.
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