FDOT to remove all Flock cameras on state road

And a flock camera cracked down the order just given to take some of these controversial cameras off the roads. And we begin with that breaking story tonight. Flat camera fallout across florida. Thanks for joining us on this monday. I'm luanne surround. I'm jack royer. This story is evolving by the second this monday evening. First tonight, the state of florida says they are pulling down those controversial cameras on all state roads. That decision, it seems created a domino effect. Now, Volusia County says they are taking them down as well. So are Putnam and Duval counties doing the exact same thing. It all sets the scene for flock reps to address a fired up crowd in Oviedo at tonight's city council meeting. We have live team coverage right now at five Fox 30 fives. Manny Martinez is at that meeting. The first box 30 fives. Bailey bak over live with the latest on this new F dot memo. Bailey, bring us up to speed. Yeah, Jack, florida law enforcement agencies now have 30 days to remove lock cameras specifically from state roads like I four right behind me. And it comes amid reports of misuse and data privacy concerns in a memo actually released today from the florida Department of Transportation. It stated quote, while florida law limits the issuance of permits for L. P. R. Systems license plate reader to law enforcement agencies. The recent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways coupled with concerning reports of misuse data privacy concerns and surveillance schemes action to preserve Floridian sovereignty and quality of life. End quote. The decision comes just days after Governor DeSantis publicly questioned how the cameras are being used across the state. I think you've got to have protections for people, but go after criminals. Great. Let's all do that. But surveilling just regular Floridians movements and how that data is used. You know, that's a that's a bird of a different feather. State officials say all active permits are revoked immediately and future requests for these systems have been halted. Agencies have one month to take down the devices. If they don't f dot warns it will remove the cameras itself. And in Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood just made the announcement that effective immediately all license plate readers in the county are shut down. He sent us a statement that says in part quote until we have clarity guidance and a legal framework from the florida legislature regarding this technology, it's no longer a tool we can use. Make no mistake, there will be an impact on crime and public safety. I'm sure there are criminals who are celebrating this post along with the critics. I still hope that our lawmakers can reach a consensus on LPR guardrails, regulations and accountability measures that protect individual rights while preserving a resource that solves crime and saves lives. Reporting live Bailey back over Fox 35 News Bailey. Thanks. Our team coverage continues now. The city of Vito is discussing flock cameras tonight and the company was already planning to have at least one representative at the city council meeting tonight before today's memo from F dot. Let's get out to Fox 35 Manny Martinez. He is live at that meeting in Oviedo and Manny. The meeting is set to start in less than half an hour and Luanne. It's expected to be so packed that they actually asked us to get here early in order to make sure that we had a spot. And in fact, so many people expected here tonight that look, they have a screen set up so that anybody who doesn't fit inside can come out and watch to make sure that they can follow along with what's happening inside. We don't know exactly how long this discussion is going to last. Of course, there are developments that could add some time to it here with the memo from F dot. And then after that's all said and done, we're expected to hear from the chief of police in Oviedo, who we have heard from before in previous reporting, talking about how they are an important tool for law enforcement. So the cameras here in Oviedo have made headlines in the past couple of weeks because please used a decoy camera to catch a suspect who they say was destroying real ones. Oviedo. We have found out leases its eight cameras. The city has paid $32,000 for their use. So far, they're in a five year contract, about a year into it. And the mayor says the city does have an out if commissioners just decide to not fund the cameras in their budget for the next fiscal year. And we are in budget season. We don't know the answers. So we need all of that information before making a decision on whether this is the right, the right kind of technology for our community. So this is the first thing on the agenda for the meeting that starts at 5 30. We have not seen that flock official here yet. When we do, we'll see if we can ask him some questions. And we have already sent our request to corporate media team. We're live in Oviedo. Many Martinez Fox 35 News, Manny. Thank you. And Fox 35 will bring you updates from Oviedo tonight as soon as that meeting gets underway. As for the rest of the flock camera fallout, changes are happening minute by minute. Be sure to stick with us here live on air, or you can download the Fox local app to stay up to date.