Debate over ALPR 'flock' cameras surfaces in public comments and commission discussion

Automated license‑plate readers — often called "flock" cameras — drew public comment and commission discussion early in the meeting, with residents pressing the city to remove or limit use of devices on local roads.

Resident Jonathan Kraljic read the city sign code and then raised concerns that an FDOT memo requires removal of ALPR cameras from state roads, citing data‑privacy and misuse risks. "I urge you to do what almost 0.5 of Florida's 67 counties and dozens of cities have already done. Remove flock cameras entirely, not just from the state roads," Kraljic said. Commissioners and the mayor acknowledged those concerns while also noting public‑safety benefits. Commissioner Schwartz said the police were already disabling the six cameras on major roadways and highlighted cases where ALPRs helped find vulnerable missing people and hit‑and‑run suspects.

Mayor Ossorio said the city will comply with FDOT direction and that staff will draft access and retention policies to reduce risk of abuse: "What we need to do now is make sure... there's proper policies in place so that they aren't abused," he said. The discussion did not produce a separate vote but led to staff direction to pause expansions and review policy and access controls.