Fort Myers Beach council ends Flock Safety camera contract over privacy concerns

The Fort Myers Beach town council has decided to end its agreement with Flock Safety, discontinuing the use of license plate reading cameras at Matanzas Pass and Big Carlos Pass bridges. The cameras, which capture photos of vehicles entering and leaving the island, have been in use since 2022. The town has paid $15,000 annually for six cameras, and terminating the contract will cost $3,000. However, the town is eligible for refunds of fees for the remainder of the term. Brad Bass, a visitor to Fort Myers Beach, shared his perspective on the cameras. "I think, you know, the police, they like using them, you know, because it's a tool for them. But as far as privacy rights and things like that, it's just one more step in what we feel probably is the wrong direction," Bass said. The data collected by the cameras is monitored by Lee County deputies, but the town does not have an agreement with law enforcement to access information on how the data is used. Dylan Mohrbacher, another visitor, expressed concerns about the cameras. "I believe they are no good for us. They invade our privacy, and I think it's just going to get worse from here with them if people allow them to be put where they want them," Mohrbacher said. Heather Fockler, also visiting Fort Myers Beach, voiced her opposition to the cameras. "I don't think that they should have them. I think that they should just stop with it," Fockler said. Town Manager Will McKannay said that in his conversations with the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the agency understood the town’s reasons for the decision. He also noted that deputies have other methods to achieve the same objectives. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.