ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Homeowners associations and neighborhoods in St. Johns County own dozens of license plate readers that are separate from the system operated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Rob Hardwick said during a county budget hearing.
“We have an additional 100 license plate readers in St. Johns County. They don’t belong to us. They belong to your neighborhoods,” Hardwick said.
Chief Kevin Cronin clarified that residents and homeowners associations can purchase cameras from private vendors and decide who receives access to the information.
“Any community member can buy a camera from any vendor and put it anywhere they want,” Cronin said. “HOAs can do that, and they provide access to whoever they choose. But don’t confuse that system with our system.”
During the hearing, District 4 County Commissioner Krista Joseph mentioned that some communities, including TPC Sawgrass, have their own cameras and suggested they may issue tickets. Hardwick emphasized that those systems are not operated by the sheriff’s office.
“Just to clarify, that’s HOA, it’s not the Sheriff’s Office,” Hardwick said.
Hardwick has defended the sheriff’s office’s use of license plate readers and urged commissioners to maintain $500,000 in the budget for the technology. He said the agency’s readers helped lead to the recovery of 29 stolen vehicles and 23 stolen license tags, as well as the arrests of 35 wanted people.
The technology has divided residents.
“It’s another chance to catch information. I think it’s the best idea,” resident Loridana Cristea said.
Another resident, identified as Dom, opposed the readers, saying they track people and raise questions about privacy and legality.
“Just cut them out,” Dom said. “Just keep them away.”
At a previous budget hearing, Hardwick also said he had a license plate reader installed near his home after people he described as sovereign citizens filmed his family at a Publix parking lot and threatened to kill them.
A public records request for reports of threats against Hardwick during his time in office returned no reports.
The sheriff’s office shared a response to questions about Hardwick’s statement:
The Sheriff’s comment during Thursday’s BOCC meeting was made in a general context. To clarify, there is not a license plate reader located directly in front of the sheriff’s home. There is an LPR located outside of the neighborhood’s entrance.
The placement and use of LPRs are based on public safety needs and are intended as a technological resource to enhance security for all St. Johns County residents. While LPRs are generally deployed to support broader public safety efforts, they can also be strategically deployed or utilized when specific circumstances arise, including criminal investigations, threats, or other situations where they may assist law enforcement in enhancing security and protecting the community.
In terms of threats, it is not uncommon for elected and public officials to receive them. When information about a specific threat or concern is received, law enforcement evaluates the circumstances and conducts an appropriate investigation. When warranted, available technological resources, including LPRs, may be utilized to enhance the investigation and security of those involved. Matters are referred to the FBI when appropriate.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
News4Jax asked the sheriff’s office for a comprehensive list of license plate readers owned by neighborhoods and homeowners associations and requested an interview with Hardwick about his position on the technology. We are awaiting a response.
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