Winter Park suspends Flock license‑plate readers for at least 90 days

Police Chief Holkerson asked the commission to suspend the city’s license‑plate‑reader (LPR) program to give staff time to review platform changes, recommended policy guardrails and contract language. "My request today is that you would approve a suspension of our LPR program for a period of not less than 60 days," the chief said, adding that ongoing platform and policy changes made a pause prudent.

Commissioners discussed whether to wait for pending state legislative action, debated retention and public‑records obligations for automatically collected plate data, and asked whether civil remedies in other states — such as Virginia — might offer models for enforceable privacy protections. Chief Holkerson said agencies across the region are split on whether to suspend programs and described a roughly 50/50 split among nearby agencies on continuing use.

Commissioner Lindsay moved to suspend use of Flock or related LPR technology for 90 days and to put the item back on a future agenda for reconsideration; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Commissioners and staff agreed to use the pause to review contract terms, retention policies, internal controls for misuse and potential legislative changes that could preempt local rules.

The commission’s action halts active city use for the suspension period; staff said they will return with recommended policy revisions and any new contract terms for the commission’s consideration.