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Residents urge Fernandina Beach to end use of Flock Safety ALPR cameras
Summary
Multiple residents told the commission that Flock Safety automatic license-plate readers (ALPR) installed in city locations create pervasive surveillance and widespread data-sharing; speakers asked the city to direct the police department to discontinue the cameras and remove them.
Several residents used the public-comment period to press the commission to end the Fernandina Beach Police Department’s use of Flock Safety ALPR cameras and to remove cameras from city locations.
Chad Charlen (address on the record) described the system as a continuous, 24/7 recording network that “treat[s] us all like would be criminals” and said Flock’s patent and product descriptions show capabilities beyond plate reading. Other commenters provided lists of agencies that can access Flock data and said the system’s searchable vehicle records expose residents and visitors to nationwide data-sharing. One speaker said the group had documented more than 1,100 agencies with potential access and urged the commission to require the police department to discontinue and remove the devices.
Speakers emphasized privacy and the potential for misuse. As one commenter put it, “Cameras don't prevent crime, they're just cameras,” and another speaker pointed to specific instances elsewhere where law-enforcement access to ALPR records had been abused. Commenters urged the commission to require stronger oversight, independent audits and limits on data-sharing if the city continues any contract with private ALPR vendors.
No staff action or formal police response was taken on the dais during the public-comment period; commissioners did not make an immediate motion to change policy. Several commissioners thanked the speakers and asked staff to provide relevant information for future consideration.
