Flock cameras and license plate readers off state roads in SWFL, but private ones can stay

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—The removal of Flock cameras and license plate readers on state highways is raising questions about what it means for others who use the technology.

As local law enforcement begins taking down their Flock cameras, many people are wondering whether they will have to do the same. While Flock cameras along state-owned roads are being removed, that doesn't apply to cameras on private property.

Cameras by businesses like Home Depot can stay.

Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation sent a memo to law enforcement agencies that it revoked all active permits for automated license plate readers. The change only applies to cameras on state highway right-of-ways.

Law enforcement has 30 days to take the cameras down. That doesn't mean all Flock cameras are going away.

"Private property is just that. That's private property," said an official. "If somebody has a surveillance camera, if they purchased an ALPR. If they use the name brand that everybody is kind of hot on flock, that's their private property."

"We don't have access to that," the official said. "Us or anybody else would have to get permission to use somebody else's property."

To see where Flock cameras are still active in the area, people can check websites like Deflock.