Sheriff Defends License Plate Readers as Crime-Fighting Tool

Escambia County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons is defending the use of Flock license plate readers amid concerns from some residents about government surveillance.

Simmons says the cameras are positioned on public roadways where there's no expectation of privacy, and strict protocols govern their use.

"These cameras and license plate readers are in public roadways. They're not pointing in anyone's private property," Simmons said. "There are rules, there are restrictions. We don't put license numbers from ex-girlfriends and that sort of thing on there. And if they do, then they'll be terminated and or charged."

Simmons says every query of the system is logged and audited, similar to criminal history checks. Only certain personnel have access, and all searches must be justified.

He pointed to a recent case where Flock data helped catch suspects who stole ATM machines from local Family Dollar stores. Deputies noticed a white pickup truck circling the area before the thefts and entered the tag information into the system. Leon County, which is part of the Flock network, flagged the vehicle and caught the suspects in the act.

"We would have never caught these people had we not had that Flock camera," Simmons said.

Simmons says the technology also helped build probable cause in the county's most recent murder case. He says anyone who expects privacy in public should stay home.

"If you think you're not on a camera when you go out in your life, whether you go to a supermarket or to a bank, you're going to be on camera," Simmons said.