Florida’s automated license plate reader network is facing a significant change after the Florida Department of Transportation ordered cameras located within state highway rights-of-way to be removed.
On August 31, 2026, FDOT issued Engineering and Operations Memorandum No. 26-01, revoking existing approvals for automated license plate recognition systems, commonly called LPRs or ALPRs, installed within rights-of-way on Florida’s State Highway System. FDOT also announced that it will stop approving new LPR placement requests within its jurisdiction.
While Flock Safety cameras have been at the center of the public discussion, the FDOT action applies to automated license plate readers generally, not simply cameras manufactured by Flock.
Despite some of the headlines surrounding the change, however, Florida has not enacted a statewide ban on Flock cameras.
Which Flock Cameras Have to Be Removed in Florida?
FDOT’s memorandum applies to automated license plate readers installed within rights-of-way on the State Highway System.
Local agencies have 30 days from the August 31 memorandum to remove affected cameras, making the removal deadline September 30, 2026. If the devices are not removed during that period, FDOT states that it will remove the remaining devices itself.
FDOT also announced that it will no longer approve future requests to place LPR systems within its jurisdiction.
What Does “State Highway Right-of-Way” Mean?
A right-of-way is the land used for a road and its supporting infrastructure.
In this case, FDOT’s order applies only to rights-of-way on the State Highway System. It does not automatically require cameras on county roads, city streets or private property to be removed.
That distinction is important: FDOT is removing cameras from areas under its jurisdiction, not banning automated license plate readers throughout Florida.
How Are Central Florida Agencies Responding?
Some Central Florida law enforcement agencies are choosing to go further than the FDOT order requires.
As of August 31, Brevard, Seminole and Volusia counties, along with the cities of Edgewater, Sanford and Titusville, were among jurisdictions suspending use of the cameras. The Oviedo City Council also voted to remove all eight of the city’s Flock cameras.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office announced that it would suspend its use of the Flock camera network entirely, citing FDOT’s action and broader uncertainty surrounding the programs statewide.
The Sheriff’s Office stated:
“We are seeing jurisdictions across Florida suspend or discontinue the use of these cameras, along with recent direction from the State of Florida through the Florida Department of Transportation. We also recognize the likelihood that municipalities within Seminole County may take similar action. Given these developments and the broader questions surrounding the future of these programs statewide, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office will suspend its use of the Flock camera network at this time.”
In Volusia County, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said FDOT’s action effectively ends the agency’s current program because its cameras are located on state roads.
Brevard County has also announced that it will suspend its use of the cameras, while several Central Florida cities have taken similar action.
These responses highlight an important difference: FDOT ordered affected cameras off state highway rights-of-way, while some local agencies are choosing to suspend their programs more broadly.
Why Can FDOT Require the Cameras to Be Removed?
FDOT did not need the Florida Legislature to pass a new law before issuing the August 31 directive.
Florida Statute §316.0777 already gives FDOT discretion over whether automated license plate recognition systems may be installed within State Highway System rights-of-way.
The law also provides that an automated license plate recognition system must be removed within 30 days after FDOT notifies the requesting law enforcement agency that removal must occur.
That means the August 31 action is an administrative decision by FDOT under existing Florida law, rather than a new statewide law banning the technology.
Why Is Florida Taking Action on Flock Cameras Now?
FDOT cited the rapid increase in license plate reader deployments along with reports of misuse, data privacy concerns and surveillance.
Those concerns became particularly relevant in Florida following a July 2026 case involving the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
An internal audit found that Detective Brandy Almany had allegedly improperly accessed Flock ALPR data, the state DAVID database and court records to obtain information about her husband’s ex-wife for reasons unrelated to a legitimate investigation. Almany was arrested and terminated, and Sheriff Pat Breeden suspended the county’s Flock use while ordering a broader audit.
Governor Ron DeSantis later cited concerns about law enforcement officers potentially using the technology to improperly track individuals while calling for stronger restrictions on the systems.
The controversy has raised broader questions about privacy, oversight, access to collected information and safeguards against misuse.
What Happens to Florida Flock Cameras Now?
For cameras covered by FDOT’s memorandum, the immediate requirement is clear: affected devices must be removed by September 30, 2026.
FDOT has also stopped approving new LPR installations within State Highway System rights-of-way.
Cameras located outside FDOT’s jurisdiction are not automatically covered by the order, but cities, counties and law enforcement agencies may independently choose to suspend or discontinue their own programs.
For now, Florida is seeing a combination of mandatory removals on state highway rights-of-way and voluntary suspensions by local agencies.
The August 31 order does not settle the broader debate over automated license plate readers in Florida. Questions surrounding privacy, oversight and appropriate use of the technology are likely to continue as state and local officials consider what rules should govern these systems in the future.