St. Lucie County removes unauthorized Flock license-plate cameras amid ownership mystery

In August, the Florida Department of Transportation ordered all state-right-of-way Flock cameras removed by September 30, prompting St. Lucie County to inventory its devices. County records showed 52 authorized cameras that capture license plates, timestamps and locations, but the removal effort uncovered 66 units, revealing 14 installations that never received permits. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office identified three of the unpermitted cameras as its own, while no one has claimed the other eleven, leaving questions about who is collecting data and who can access it.

County spokesperson Erick Gill said notices have been posted, giving owners a 30-day window—from Oct. 16 to Oct. 20—to take down the equipment, and the county has temporarily covered them with plastic bags. Flock Safety, the manufacturer, said it normally handles permitting and is willing to work with the county to resolve discrepancies. Residents expressed alarm over the hidden surveillance, and the Port St. Lucie City Commission voted to eliminate 18 additional city-street cameras, reflecting broader local opposition to the technology.