St. Lucie County staff have discovered at least 14 license plate readers operating on county rights-of-way without proper permits. The county does not know who owns these cameras. This discovery comes as the county moves to ban all automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from its property.
CBS12 reported that the number of unpermitted cameras increased significantly in a short period. A report on September 10 indicated three unpermitted cameras, a figure that climbed to 14 by September 15. The search for unauthorized installations is ongoing, and more are anticipated.
What happens to these unpermitted cameras?
Because the county has no permit applications on file for these devices, staff cannot identify who owns them. Instead, removal notices are being posted directly on the cameras. Interim County Administrator Mayte Santamaria stated these notices are "like a bright red notice that says you have 30 days to remove this." Staff will also disable the cameras to prevent their operation.
These newly discovered unpermitted cameras are separate from 52 previously authorized ALPRs in the county. All 52 authorized cameras received revocation notices by September 14, giving their owners 30 days for removal. The county's permit records suggest most authorized devices were installed for law enforcement agencies. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, Fort Pierce Police Department, and Port St. Lucie Police Department were informed of the inventory to allow them to review the data and receive advance notice.
No new applications for ALPRs are currently under review.
Why is St. Lucie County removing ALPRs?
On September 1, the County Commissioners voted 3-2 to stop issuing permits for ALPRs on county-owned or controlled property. This decision extends beyond a state order that only applies to state highways. Commissioner James Clasby initiated the motion, citing privacy concerns for residents.
The vote breakdown was:
- Yes: Commissioners Clasby, Lee, and Lowry
- No: Chair Jamie Fowler and Commissioner Cathy Townsend
This ban does not affect ALPRs mounted in law enforcement vehicles or cameras located on private property. Drivers should be aware that while county-owned cameras are being removed, ALPRs can still be present in police vehicles and on private land. FlockDetour tracks these locations to help you stay informed about where surveillance cameras are active. You can check our /map for more information on camera locations in your area. The county's actions show a clear move towards limiting static ALPR surveillance.
The removal process for the 52 authorized cameras will conclude by mid-October, when their 30-day removal notices expire. For the unpermitted cameras, removal notices are being posted directly on the devices, with a similar 30-day window for owners to act before county staff intervenes.