The St. Petersburg Police Department has issued its most detailed public explanation yet of how it uses Flock license plate readers after weeks of growing public scrutiny over the technology.
The statement comes after St. Petersburg resident Carl Gunn’s protests against the cameras – blocking them with cardboard attached to a pole – drew widespread attention online and in national media, piquing concerns and questions from local news organizations about how the city’s roughly 50 automated license plate readers collect, store and use vehicle data.
“There has been a great deal of discussion about Flock Safety cameras and how law enforcement uses them,” Police Chief Anthony Holloway wrote. “We want to provide clear, factual information about what these cameras do, how they help keep our communities safer, and address some of the misinformation circulating on social media.”
Flock cameras are mounted along roadways and photograph passing vehicles, recording license plate numbers along with details such as the vehicle’s make, model, color and distinguishing characteristics. Police departments can search that information during criminal investigations or receive alerts when a vehicle associated with a crime enters the camera network.
According to Holloway, the cameras are not designed to identify drivers or passengers and do not use facial recognition technology. Instead, they capture information about the vehicle itself.
The department said authorized personnel may search the database only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Those include investigating violent crimes, identifying vehicles linked to burglary patterns, locating missing or endangered people, recovering stolen vehicles and responding to incidents involving kidnappings, AMBER Alerts and fleeing violent suspects.
Holloway also addressed concerns over who can access the information and how long it is retained. According to the department, officers must document a legitimate law enforcement reason before conducting a search, access is limited to authorized personnel and employees who misuse the system face disciplinary action, including termination. The department also said Flock retains vehicle data for 30 days before it is automatically deleted.
Privacy concerns have become one of the primary criticisms of automated license plate readers nationwide. Civil liberties advocates have questioned whether widespread camera networks effectively create searchable records of where law abiding motorists travel, while supporters argue the technology has become an effective investigative tool that helps solve crimes more quickly.
According to Holloway, vehicle information is accessed only when connected to a legitimate public safety purpose and is not used for generalized surveillance.
Holloway rejected what he characterized as misinformation surrounding the technology, writing that the department remains committed to balancing public safety with individual privacy.
“Technology like Flock cameras is one of many tools that help law enforcement protect our communities,” Holloway wrote. “When used responsibly and with appropriate safeguards, it can provide critical information that helps solve crimes, recover stolen property, locate missing persons, and enhance public safety while respecting individual privacy.”
St. Petersburg is one of hundreds of law enforcement agencies nationwide to adopt Flock’s automated license plate reader system. The technology has become increasingly common over the past several years, particularly as departments seek faster ways to identify vehicles connected to violent crimes and locate missing people.
Its expansion, however, has also fueled debate over government surveillance, data privacy and the extent to which information on law abiding residents should be collected and stored, even for a limited period.
Those concerns have become more visible in St. Petersburg in recent weeks, as Gunn’s demonstrations attracted local and national attention, bringing renewed focus to a technology that has operated largely outside public discussion since the cameras were first installed.
