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NewsWFLA News TampaAugust 27, 2026Hillsborough

St. Petersburg City Council to review Flock Safety camera contract and usage

The St. Petersburg City Council will meet Thursday at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the city's existing contract with Flock Safety and the future of its automated license plate reader camera program. The discussion will weigh police reports on the technology's effectiveness in solving crimes against public concerns regarding privacy and potential misuse of surveillance data.

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Why It Matters

The council's decision could determine whether the city continues, expands, or restricts the use of 50 existing s that track vehicle movements throughout St. Petersburg.

Key Facts

  • The St. Petersburg City Council is scheduled to discuss the city's Flock Safety contract on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
  • St. Petersburg currently operates approximately 50 Flock automated license plate reader cameras.
  • The cameras capture vehicle images, license plates, make, model, and color.
  • Police report the technology assists in tracking suspect vehicles and solving crimes.
  • Critics express concern that the cameras create a permanent record of the travel patterns of law-abiding citizens.
  • Some Flock cameras in the region have been vandalized.
  • There have been reports of law enforcement officers in the Bay Area being accused of misusing Flock databases to track civilians.
  • Governor Ron DeSantis has requested that the Florida Legislature consider regulations for digital surveillance technology.

Who's Mentioned

personRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida who has called for state-level regulations on digital survei”organizationFlock Safety“The company providing automated license plate reader technology to the city.”personCarl Gunn“Member of the group Flock Blocker who opposes the use of the cameras.”organizationSt. Petersburg City Council“The governing body holding the meeting to discuss the camera contract.”organizationFlock Blocker“An advocacy group that believes the cameras should be removed.”