ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 St. Johns County commissioners approved a tentative flat property tax rate Thursday during a budget hearing that quickly turned into a public debate over license plate readers and Flock cameras.<\/p>\n
Sheriff Rob Hardwick appeared before commissioners to outline a proposed budget increase \u2014 and to address mounting public concern about automated license plate reader technology in the county.<\/p>\n
Sheriff asks for nearly $4M to boost deputy pay<\/p>\n
The bulk of Hardwick\u2019s proposed increase \u2014 $3.9 million \u2014 would go toward raises for deputies. He told commissioners the money would give more than 420 deputy sheriffs below the rank of sergeant a pay increase. The sheriff is also requesting five additional deputies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat additional $3.9 million will give our deputy sheriffs a $9,000 increase in their pay, which puts us on the heels, not at, we\u2019re still behind the Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office, but it puts us on the heels and I believe that people want to police here better,\u201d Hardwick said.<\/p>\n
Resident Kailey Masters voiced support for paying officers more \u2014 while drawing a line at technology spending.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want them to be paid what they\u2019re worth. I don\u2019t want our money spent on technology to catch criminals and replace our officers. We don\u2019t need AI to take their place,\u201d Masters said.<\/p>\n
Hardwick responded to her comments directly during the hearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis lady, she about made me cry too as well, let\u2019s take care of our deputy sheriffs, but 95% of the budget I\u2019m presenting to you, the increase, is taking care of my employees in the St. John\u2019s County Sheriff\u2019s Office,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Flock cameras at center of public concern<\/p>\n
Most of the public comment focused on license plate readers and Flock cameras.<\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Transportation revoked permits and licenses for automated license plate readers on state roads earlier this week. The directive sparked questions from residents about what happens to the cameras already installed on county roads \u2014 and where the taxpayer money spent on them goes.<\/p>\n
Resident Debra Campbell, who has been vocal about her concerns with the technology, pressed commissioners on both the cost and civil liberties implications.<\/p>\n
\u201cFDOT has legally banned ALPR cameras on state roads. Because those cameras are coming down, where is the taxpayer\u2019s money for those specific units going?\u201d Campbell said.<\/p>\n
She also questioned where accountability ends.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey must help solve crimes. I get that. But at what price is really my question. Where do we draw the line? That\u2019s the one thing no one can answer \u2014 where is the Fourth Amendment drawn the line at?\u201d Campbell said.<\/p>\n
Another resident raised the warrant issue directly.<\/p>\n
\u201cSheriff Hardwick has defended flock cameras because they can help solve crimes. I don\u2019t dispute that. I think something like searching homes or citizens without a warrant would also solve a bunch of crimes, but at what cost?\u201d the resident said.<\/p>\n
A separate attendee questioned whether the county commission had ever granted the sheriff\u2019s office permission to place Flock cameras on county right-of-way.<\/p>\n
$500K earmarked for LPR software; future uncertain<\/p>\n
Hardwick said the sheriff\u2019s office will comply with FDOT\u2019s directive and remove cameras from state roads. He said $500,000 in the proposed budget is set aside for software updates of license plate reader technology \u2014 but acknowledged that money could be redirected if the commission or legislature moves to shut the system down entirely.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s so many other things we can do. The jail could use it tomorrow for our guardian program that actually keeps an eye on our inmates in the jail,\u201d Hardwick said, adding that the funds could also go toward medical monitoring technology for inmates.<\/p>\n
When asked about the future of Flock cameras on county roads after the meeting, Hardwick declined to answer directly, pointing instead to a previously issued press release.<\/p>\n
During the hearing, Hardwick addressed the broader concern about what happens to the program after he leaves office.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the biggest concern is what happens when Rob Hardwick leaves. I know we\u2019re going to say something that says trust in our legislature, we\u2019re doing that. I\u2019ve had phone calls from Senator Wright, I\u2019ve talked to Senator Lee, I talked to Rep. Kendall, I talk to Rep. Greco, I have talked to Rep. Judson, I\u2019m speaking with the governor\u2019s staff,\u201d Hardwick said.<\/p>\n
For now, license plate readers remain on county roads.<\/p>\n
Campbell said she appreciated seeing the sheriff answer questions publicly during the hearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was refreshing. I think it would be invaluable to Sheriff Hardwick to do that more often because people do want to hear from him. We want to be able to interact with him,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Next budget hearing set for Sept. 15<\/p>\n