VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Volusia County Council voted 6 to 0 Tuesday to approve a one-year moratorium on license plate readers, including Flock cameras.
The idea came from Sheriff Mike Chitwood, who has long defended the technology. Council members called him forward at the meeting. Chitwood said they were originally headed toward an outright ban, which would have meant the cameras were gone for good in Volusia County.
He recommended a moratorium instead. It stops the use of the cameras and any new installs, but it doesn’t say they are gone for good.
Chitwood said the difference matters because state lawmakers could set new rules for the technology when they return to Tallahassee, and a local ban could be overridden.
“I think when the legislature comes back in the session, they’ll be able to sit down and look at this intelligently,” Chitwood said.
He said law enforcement groups plan to press lawmakers again for rules after the election. Asked whether he expects the cameras to come back, he said he does.
“I’m going to be the eternal optimist and say yes,” Chitwood said.
Chitwood shut down his office’s use of the cameras after the Florida Department of Transportation revoked permits for license plate readers on state roads on Aug. 31. He said the technology has helped solve violent crimes. He also said he understands the concerns of critics.
“I think law enforcement was in a fight, and we didn’t know it till we lost,” Chitwood said.
Chitwood said all of the roughly 180 cameras the county has access to are turned off. But they are still up. He said Flock, the company the county contracted with, owns the equipment and hasn’t taken it down yet. The council directed Public Works to remove the cameras within 30 days if Flock doesn’t, and the county would pay for it.
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