The Emerald Coast DSA opposes the expansion of Flock Safety's automated license plate reader (ALPR) network in Okaloosa County. These cameras represent a shift from targeted investigation to dragnet surveillance — tracking every vehicle's movements without consent, warrant, or meaningful public oversight.
We want to remove flock cameras because the cameras can effectively map vehicle movements over time, which is more like tracking rather than investigation. Police have used data from flock cameras to track each other and the only reason we know is because of police retaliation, we cant know if police criminally stalk us outside of their job because they wont disclose if they're accessing flock camera information. They also worry that the data is stored by a private company instead of on a government system they can more easily scrutinize. We believe citizens deserve transparency; some commissioners said the cameras were installed without enough public discussion, and some want clearer rules or even a vote before the county keeps expanding the system.
Mass tracking, not investigation. The cameras build a time-stamped map of vehicle movements across the county. This is population-level surveillance, not a tool for solving specific crimes.
Private company, private data. The data lives on Flock Safety's servers, not a government system subject to public records requests. Citizens can't audit how it's used.
No meaningful public process. Commissioners have acknowledged the cameras were deployed without sufficient public discussion. Some have called for clearer rules or a public vote before further expansion.
Potential for abuse. There are documented cases of police using automated license plate reader data for personal reasons or to track fellow officers. Without transparency, the public has no way to know if misuse is happening.
Call Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and ask national data sharing and to remove all existing flock cameras because they are a safety risk
Phone: (850) 651-7400
address main office: 50 2nd Street, Shalimar, FL 32579
Attend Okaloosa County Commission meets at 8:30 AM on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
