The town of Fort Myers Beach has been paying Flock $15,000 per year for 6 cameras. Only 4 are operating currently, 2 on each bridge. Next week, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council will vote on removing the cameras from the island at the recommendation of the Town Manager.
The data from the cameras is used by the Lee County Sheriff’s department to help them solve crimes that take place on the island. The town does not have an inter-local agreement for the cameras with LCSO.
Town Manager Will McKannay said, “I am not comfortable with the current contract structure, under which we pay only for camera installation but have no role in operating or monitoring them, and no oversight of those who do. LCSO monitors the LPRs, and while we have a strong relationship with them and no specific concerns about their trustworthiness or compliance practices regarding the cameras, we currently have no formal agreements in place with LCSO to protect the town’s interests. If such agreements are established in the future, I may recommend reinstating the LPRs at that time.”
The contract, after being signed in May of 2022, automatically renewed every year. The town must pay a cancellation fee of $500 per camera for a total of $3,000. According to the contract the town is entitled to a refund for the cameras prorated for any fees for the remaining term.
Earlier this week Cape Coral Police Chief Tony Sizemore announced he was turning off all the Flock cameras in their city.
There has been a huge public outcry across the state of Florida about the cameras. Some people feel the data can be abused while others are complaining abot a mass surveliance state.
Local journalism is hard work. If you appreciate the most in-depth reporting on Fort Myers Beach, please support what we do HERE by Venmo, Zell or PayPal. Thank you.
Why doesn’t Lee County take over the contract as the cameras are actually installed on their roadways and beneficially used by the Lee County Sheriff’s office to which we pay taxes and fees toward.
This past Monday, the state revoked all permits for these license plate reader cameras and ordered local governments to take them down within 30 days. I don’t think they had much of a choice.
Not quite.
The FDOT order only applies to cameras in the state right-of-way on state highways.
What a ripoff! Finally a sound decision made by town management.
Biggest waste of money and intrusion on citizens 4 th amendment-
Thrilled to hear these may be eliminated. No need for this , law enforcement needs to do their job. More than enough cameras all over society without big brother and Big Govt having them .
This is just one of many ways that law enforcement does their jobs. You do realize that you are already been filmed and recorded by most private business’, the second you arrive on their property. Further, the largest purveyor of digital tracking is already in your pocket! One last thing. What big government party has been in the majority in Florida, for the last 26 years. Wonder who authorized all of those cameras?
So you do support the town spending $15k since it helps law enforcement? Since our phones track us you don’t support the cameras? The cameras are the Republicans fault? Where are you going with this? Please bring your A game.