Florida cops baffled by unpermitted Flock cameras

• St. Lucie County officials are investigating 11 unpermitted Flock cameras.
• Residents have expressed concerns about privacy and the unknown ownership of the cameras.
• Flock has been contacted by county officials regarding the unpermitted installations.
• A Flock spokesperson stated that permitting requirements vary by jurisdiction.
• Flock has a history of installing cameras without proper permitting requests.

St. Lucie County officials are investigating 11 unpermitted Flock cameras that have been installed in the area. Residents have voiced concerns about privacy and the lack of clarity regarding who owns and has access to the cameras. Ty Grant, a resident, expressed feeling unsafe due to the unknown ownership, while Todd Richter, who manages a fishing supply shop, stated he is unhappy unless he knows who is accessing the camera data.

County officials have given the camera owners a 30-day deadline to remove the installations before further investigation proceeds. This situation echoes past incidents where Flock has installed cameras without proper permitting requests, a practice noted in a 2024 Forbes investigation. Examples include installations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, after the technology was banned, and in Millcreek, Utah, on city property without city or police request.

Palm Bay, Florida, officials previously suspended their Flock camera system after repeated instances of the company installing cameras without requesting final inspections, though permits were eventually approved. St. Lucie County commissioner Clasby highlighted that not knowing the camera owners is a significant issue beyond potential police misuse and data privacy concerns.

Flock, which is already facing scrutiny, particularly in Florida where cameras are banned on state roads, has reportedly reached out to county officials to discuss the unpermitted cameras. A Flock spokesperson downplayed the issue, stating that permitting requirements vary by jurisdiction and are not always necessary. It remains unconfirmed whether Flock and county officials have shared further information to identify the camera owners.