OPINION The Sunshine State under Watch: How Florida Became One of America’s Most Aggressive Policing States
Florida’s expanding plate-reader network, broad information-sharing rules, predictive tools, biometric surveillance, and public mugshot portals have outpaced the safeguards meant to constrain police power.
On August 26, 2026, Gov. Ron DeSantis made a striking admission: automated license-plate readers, including cameras operated through Flock Safety, had become “out of control.” He still defended giving police effective investigative tools. But, he added, “I don’t want to have this become a surveillance state.” The warning was welcome—and late. As Reason observed the next day, Florida’s surveillance apparatus extends far beyond one company. State and local agencies have assembled license-plate readers, facial-recognition systems, drones, third-party investigative platforms, predictive-policing tools, and other technologies. Florida has also directed public money toward additional plate readers, biometric iris scanners, and AI-enabled mobile surveillance towers.
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My neighboring county, Walton county to be exact just voted to remove all the flock cameras. 5 to 0 vote, no opposition. I live right on the county line between Okaloosa and Walton, and I’m not lying when I say there’s probably 8 flock cameras within a 3 mile stretch. Not earth shattering news of course but a little hope I guess.
@Ryan (the same who posts here in the forum),
Well said and written. Spot on!
For further reading to read just how deep it has gotten, you, et al, are encouraged to read: The Flock uprising is just the beginning (Salon.com 14 Aug 2026 – https://www.salon.com/2026/08/14/the-flock-uprising-is-just-the-beginning/)
I am telling the forum, PFRs need to stand up as people for their families and themselves in this right to privacy and cut the surveillance state this nation is becoming. You can see it in the Flagler/FDLE sweep with the tools used.
Thank you this is all helpful.
Ryan
But it’s all just civil regulation (sarcasm of course lol.)
I KNEW IT !! I KNEW IT !! The show “Person of Interest” one day would become…..reality. And now…we live in that reality.
he is only now commenting becasue the candidates running against him said they are going to do away with the survelance state and are winning votes because of it..
He don’t have anyone running against him. He’s done after this term.
As governor, but if he desires higher office, yet, then these words are useful to him.