County Pauses Issuing New Right‑of‑Way Permits for Automated License‑Plate Readers; Sheriff Asked to Brief Board

Commissioner Flores asked the Board of County Commissioners to pause any new automated‑license‑plate reader (ALPR) installations in county right of way and to order a comprehensive review of existing systems following a state action that told operators to remove some systems from state rights of way.

"I am therefore asking our county to place a moratorium on any new flock systems or automated license plate readers installed in, on Palm Beach County right of ways," Flores said, listing questions about data ownership, retention, access, and audits. He asked administration and county attorneys to prepare a report covering locations, contracts, costs, retention policies, outside access, federal access, search protocols, audits, misuse and accuracy.

The board unanimously agreed to request information from the sheriff and to invite him or his designee to a public workshop; by majority vote the board paused issuing new county right‑of‑way permits for ALPRs while staff gathers more information. Commissioners emphasized the need to balance public‑safety benefits—like finding stolen vehicles—against privacy and oversight concerns and asked staff to return with permit counts and vendor contract details.

Administration said a 2019 PPM authorizes ALPRs in county right of way and that PBSO holds most operational contracts; staff said it would attempt to obtain as much information as possible but cautioned that operational law‑enforcement details may be withheld for safety or investigative reasons.