JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Flock license plate reader cameras remain in place across Jacksonville, many covered with plastic, after the Florida Department of Transportation called for their removal.
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The coverings have left some residents questioning whether the cameras will be taken down or continue operating after being temporarily blocked.
“You put a trash bag over it. All that’s going to do is temporarily stop it, take the trash bag right off and in like two months we’re back to the same thing,” Jacksonville resident Jerrod Blocker said.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the cameras helped solve 15 murders, 17 kidnappings and nearly 100 shootings. But some residents said they want the cameras removed completely, citing privacy concerns.
“I get they want to protect us and, you know, make sure this person’s not running up on this person, this, that and the third, but it’s like it comes to a point with privacy,” Blocker said.
Jordan Adair, another Jacksonville resident, said covering the cameras with plastic is not a permanent solution.
“If you’re going to remove them, we should actually remove them completely from out here and stuff because pretty much it’s just a trash bag,” Adair said. “It’s plastic that could easily get removed just from the natural weather we have around here.”
JSO said in a statement that the license plate reader systems are inaccessible to the agency because its contract with Flock has been terminated. The agency said it previously had access to 150 license plate readers and directed questions about the removal process to Flock.
Flock had not responded to a request for comment at the time of reporting.
Some residents said they questioned whether the cameras are necessary for traffic enforcement.
“The police don’t have time to patrol every red light all the time, so I don’t really see where that’s a big necessity if you’re a safe driver,” Jacksonville resident Allan Archambeault said.
Blocker said officials should consider public feedback about the cameras.
“Listen to the community, bro. When you’ve got thousands of people commenting on your Instagram and stuff like that and everybody agreeing with this, why not listen?” he said.
For now, the cameras appear likely to remain in place with plastic coverings while the removal process remains unresolved.
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