LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County commissioners voted unanimously this morning to remove all FLOCK automatic license plate readers from county roadways.
The decision followed a intense debate where over 15 residents opposed the surveillance technology.
“I’m here to ask for the removal of these unconstitutional cameras throughout Lake County,” one resident said during public comment.
Another argued the devices collect too much data: “They are collecting information. And it’s information on everybody.”
The meeting was originally scheduled just to discuss the cameras. But after the Florida Department of Transportation announced yesterday it would turn off FLOCK cameras on state roads, Commissioner Anthony Sabatini pushed for an immediate vote to remove the county units as well.
Chairwoman Leslie Campione wanted to wait until Sheriff Peyton Grinnell could attend to explain the pros and cons.
“My goal was to hear what information he had to offer,” Campione said.
But commissioners moved forward without the sheriff. Sabatini said operators now have up to 30 days to take the cameras down.
“Somehow we’ve slipped into a mass surveillance state and we need to get out of it,” Sabatini said.
The commission did vote to invite Sheriff Grinnell to a future meeting to address the issue.
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