GPD suspends use of automated license plate readers
Release from Gainesville Police Department
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya has made the decision to suspend the Gainesville Police Department’s use of automated license plate reader cameras (ALPR) that are currently mounted along city rights-of-way, commonly known as Flock cameras. The decision follows Monday’s announcement by Governor Ron DeSantis regarding the removal of license plate reader cameras from state rights-of-way.
“Automated license plate readers have unequivocally been one of our best public safety tools in recent years, and, because of this technology, we have solved countless crimes, including homicides, sexual assaults, recovered missing people, and brought to justice those who have harmed our community. While we believe that we have strong policies and safeguards in place governing the use of these cameras, and regularly inspect the system to ensure compliance, we recognize the unilateral wave of community concerns regarding privacy and individual rights,” Chief Moya said. “Our responsibility is to be good stewards of the community we serve and, above all, to maintain the public’s trust. After careful consideration, I believe suspending the use of these cameras is in the best interest of our community while we continue to monitor any potential legislative efforts at the state and federal level in the hope that it brings greater transparency regarding the use of this technology, and, for us here in Gainesville, to garner support from our community in its use.”
GPD recognizes that license plate reader technology has generated differing opinions within the community. The department remains committed to working collaboratively with residents and community stakeholders to address public safety concerns, while respecting individual rights and liberties.
Members of the community may continue to see license plate reader cameras on some roadways. However, effective today, Sept. 3, 2026, at 3 p.m., cameras operated by the Gainesville Police Department have been turned off and are no longer being utilized by GPD.
The suspension of the automated license plate reader cameras does not affect other investigative tools or technologies utilized by the Gainesville Police Department. The use of body worn camera technology continues to be an integral tool that helps GPD maintain a high degree of transparency, while enhancing the quality of cases brought forth by our police officers. We will continue to evaluate available resources and practices to ensure the department can effectively address crime and protect the Gainesville community.
I’m CERTAIN Flock cameras have enormous benefits. That’s not what we, your customers and taxpayers, are against. The problem is that police nationwide have demonstrated an ABSOLUTE lack of trustworthiness with surveillance technology, using it to stalk lovers, ex-wives, romantic competitors and innocent people.
YOU, the police, did this to yourselves.
Want us to trust Flock? Make the rules draconian.
Every search requires a serious crime, case number, written justification and certification under penalty of perjury. A supervisor approves it and shares responsibility. Every search creates a permanent, undeletable audit trail.
EVERY search goes before an independent citizen review board each month. The officer and supervisor defend it. Every search also becomes public within 30 days, including who searched, what they searched and why. Protect victims and active investigations, but nothing else.
Deliberately misuse Flock? Immediate termination, permanent loss of law enforcement certification and a mandatory two-year prison sentence with no reduction for good behavior.
Every search should put your career and freedom on the line.
Tracking a murderer or kidnapper? Search away. You’ll have no trouble defending it.
Stalking your ex-wife?
You better be DAMN sure it’s worth two years in prison.
Would this result in far fewer searches? Absolutely.
THAT’S THE POINT.
And even then, I’m not sure I’d trust you. So pictures on milk cartons it will be, because police have earned this distrust through a long and sordid history of eff’d up flockery with surveillance technology.
This could not have been said better.
It boils down to this: I’m tired of being the product Flock sells.
Great news to start the month!
I’m going to keep my eyes on the non-Flock ALPR’s that wrap around the university campus. UF acts like they are for the city and the city acts like they are for the university. Nobody wants to claim them…
The City Commission hates law enforcement. Ever increasing number of murders and violent crime yet they take away the technology used to help catch all the criminals that the Mayor and City Commission attract with their stupid woke policies.
Even though you and I are in the minority, I totally agree with you if you are truly law abbiding citizen you have nothing to worry about your insurance is paid your driver license is uptodate date. I don’t see any difference between a flock camers and a ring camera or any other security camera if you come by my house on a public road walking or driving, I got a picture of you and not a dam thing you van do about it
The issue, G Howard, is not that most of us are law abiding citizens. The main issue is that law enforcement has proven they cannot be trusted to do the right thing with this technology. We have much to be worried about. What else is being done with the data collected on US? Who are the ALPR companies selling OUR data to? What are they using OUR data for? They are collecting OUR tag numbers, vehicle identifications, driving routes, and PICTURES of our FACES. The only thing we have that they can’t take away from us is our humanity and individual identity. Nefarious people can and will do a lot of damage with pictures of our faces. All these “traffic” cameras also need to be removed.
Can they do something about the panhandlers at 39th Ave & Waldo Road ?
Writer says, “If you are a law abiding citizen & nothing to hide then you won’t mind us looking.”
That’s exactly what the third Reich (SS) told the jews and others before shipping them off to be gassed.
It has nothing to do with hiding, guilt or not, it has to do with unreasonable search which leads to seizure.
Let that sink in folks. Your vehicles first, then a few years later your home. You won’t mind us looking will you?
Use of Flock cameras should be used but ONLY with new requirements for auditing and serious consequences for any misuse. Another overreaction decision based on politics.