Marco Eagle reported that Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk has ordered the removal of 72 license plate readers. The removal responds to a Florida Department of Transportation mandate. On Aug. 31, the department directed the removal of all automated license plate readers, including Flock cameras, from state roads and rights-of-way.
The removal covers both mobile readers, which are often used in patrol cars, and fixed readers mounted on streetlights and utility poles. At a county commission meeting on Sept. 8, Rambosk said, "so many in Florida want them down." He said the office will comply with the 30-day rule.
Which readers stay up?
- The Marco Island Police Department is keeping its readers, because they sit entirely on city-controlled roads.
- The sheriff's office plans to keep operating the cameras that are not on state roads or rights-of-way. Since 2025 it has installed 127 cameras.
What does the sheriff's office use the readers for?
Rambosk said the office has mostly used the cameras to locate missing and endangered people. The technology helped solve more than 500 of those cases this year, many involving people with Alzheimer's or dementia. The cameras have also helped solve several major crimes this year, including homicides.
Rambosk described these safeguards:
- Deputies get special training on how to search for, access and use reader data.
- Data can be retrieved only by entering case information, and it is most often deleted within 14 days.
- The Professional Standards Bureau's Internal Affairs unit inspects compliance every 30 days.
- The cameras do not record or stream video, and they have no facial recognition or tracking ability.
- The office has submitted its policy to CALEA, the national accrediting agency for law enforcement.
Rambosk said there has been no security breach or misuse. He said one concern about inquiries led to a felony arrest. He is also working with the Florida Sheriff's Association on state legislation, and said a sponsor will be sought once the bill is drafted.
What did speakers say at the meeting?
About 20 speakers lined up to oppose the readers. They argued the cameras enable mass surveillance and infringe on Fourth Amendment rights. They also raised concerns about misuse by future administrations, access by federal agencies such as the FBI and ICE, and wrongful arrests from errors. Pam Cunningham asked the county to ban automated license plate readers and facial recognition technology. Other speakers called for the complete removal of all cameras.
How widespread is this in Florida?
More than two dozen of Florida's 67 counties deactivated or suspended their license plate reader networks within days of the FDOT order. Southwest Florida agencies went from zero readers before 2025 to more than 350 cameras by August 2026. Florida has more than 7,100 automated plate-reader cameras.
Gov. Ron DeSantis raised concerns about the rapid expansion of the networks. At an Aug. 26 press conference, he said, "I think these cameras, the license plate readers, it's out of control."
What changes for drivers?
Readers on state roads and rights-of-way are included in the removal. Marco Island's readers are not, because they sit entirely on city-controlled roads. Marco Eagle does not say which of the 72 readers sit on which roads.
Flock Safety supplies readers to many Florida agencies, including the Collier County Sheriff's Office, but Marco Eagle notes that Flock is not the only vendor.
To see mapped cameras near you, use the camera map. For background on how these readers work, read how plate readers work.
What happens next?
The removals must be finished within 30 days of the Aug. 31 directive.