- September 16, 2026
Following direction from the state, Volusia County is taking down its flock cameras.
The Florida Department of Transportation sent law enforcement agencies a memo on Monday, Aug. 31, notifying that permits for automated license plate readers had been revoked and must be removed within 30 days in state rights-of-way.
"While Florida law limits the issuance of permits for LPR systems to law enforcement agencies, the recent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways, coupled with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns and surveillance schemes merit immediate action to preserve Floridians' sovereignty and quality of life," the memo states.
In a statement on Facebook Monday, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said LPRs in the county would be shut down, effective immediately.
"This is not a decision I take lightly," he wrote. "LPRs have helped us solve violent crimes, saved lives, found missing people, and recovered stolen property. However, recent orders and statements from our Governor and Department of Transportation have made it clear that LPRs are no longer workable in Florida."
The sheriff remarked on the criticism of flock cameras, saying some are based on "legitimate concerns about privacy, technology, and data sharing." However, much of the criticism, the sheriff said, has been based on "half truths, outright lies, and bad actors who have destroyed a valuable tool for the rest of us."
The Daytona Beach Police Department also has discontinued the use of LPRs, as announced by Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry.
"Chief Jakari Young shared that ALPR technology has been a valuable tool for the department, helping officers identify vehicles connected to crimes, recover stolen vehicles, develop investigative leads, and locate missing or endangered people," Henry said. "He was clear that the technology has supported the department’s work and contributed to public safety here in Daytona Beach. ... This is a technology and policy matter, not a political one, and our goal is simply to align with state guidance while it’s being sorted out."
The Ormond Beach Police Department has also discontinued the use of LPRs.
In a press conference in Jacksonville Monday, where he announced $23 million in investments for aerospace infrastructure and the state's defense workforce, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he didn't want Florida to be a "digital AI surveillance state."
DeSantis said LPRs can be useful — the state uses them for its toll-by-plate payment option — but that using them for criminal penalties is a "different situation." He brought up concerns about data misuse and privacy.
"A lot of our law enforcement that have used it at the local and county level, I think are using it to focus on criminal," DeSantis said. "I don't think it's their intent to do general surveillance. But I will tell you, if we had all this around the country when COVID happened, you absolutely would have saw those turned on."
Every sheriff in the state can point to examples where LPRs have been used effectively and appropriately, the governor said.
And Chitwood did so in his statement.
"LPRs helped us catch a home invader from Atlanta who shot 2 people in their bed at 3 a.m. in Deltona, then fled to Detroit," he said. "We have arrested murderers, armed robbers, burglars, road-rage shooters, hit-and-run drivers, sex offenders and child predators, all thanks to LPR data. They helped us recover missing and endangered children, seniors, even stolen horses before they could be harmed."
Most recently, LPRs helped local law enforcement agencies arrest a man who carjacked a woman's car in Ormond Beach and later caused a crash in New Smyrna Beach.
DeSantis has called for legislation surrounding LPRs. Until that happens, Chitwood said LPRs are a public safety tool that cannot be used.
"Make no mistake, there will be an impact on crime and public safety," he wrote. "I’m sure there are criminals who will be celebrating this post along with the critics. I still hold out hope that our lawmakers can reach a consensus on LPR guardrails, regulations and accountability measures that protect individual rights while preserving a resource that solves crime and saves lives."
