Flock cameras have built a rapport among police departments in the U.S. as a tool to help law enforcement solve crimes. However, Tallahassee community members are pushing back against their use.
A Flock camera is an automated license plate reader built to identify vehicle information such as the make, model and other visible characteristics to assist in investigations.
Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has halted its use of the cameras after a decision by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to remove the cameras from state roadways due to the growing public concerns about over-surveillance and government overreach.
“Flock cameras are designed to assist law enforcement in identifying vehicles connected to criminal investigation and enhancing public safety,” said Javonni Hampton, the public information officer for the LCSO. “We understand that the public may have concerns about privacy. But we want to place emphasis on that the information was on a limited basis access”
Students and residents have been active in their pushback against the Flock camera systems following news that a former police officer in Texas used the technology to track his ex-girlfriend and her romantic partners. This has led students to express concern about their relationship with the state government.
“I think the students view government as an institution that’s supposed to protect their rights and encourages citizens to participate in their civic lives,” said Sierra Noel, a fourth-year Political Science scholar. “However, whenever surveillance becomes normal, that relationship can begin to feel like one of less protection and more suspicion.”
The Tallahassee Police Department and the LCSO released a Public Transparency Portal for Flock License Plate Readers on Aug. 25, 2026, to inform citizens about the use of Flock Cameras and how many remain in Tallahassee.
“I would understand why anyone would feel uncomfortable with their presence,” said Joseph Cepeda, a fourth-year social work scholar. “If students start to see the rise of passive surveillance, they’ll be more hesitant to exercise their freedoms.”
