Unauthorized Flock cameras in St. Lucie County leave 11 unclaimed as residents feel 'very unsafe'; 30-day removal deadline looms

St. Lucie County officials are grappling with the fallout from the discovery of 14 unauthorized Flock cameras, with 11 still unclaimed as a 30-day removal deadline looms. The county's contract with Flock authorized only 52 cameras, yet officials found 66 in total, raising questions about accountability.¹

The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office admitted that three of the extra automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) were theirs, but did not clarify how they were deployed without permits. This leaves 11 cameras with no known operator, causing unease among residents. Ty Grant, a local resident, expressed feeling "very unsafe" due to the unaccounted cameras, while shop owner Todd Richter emphasized the need for transparency regarding the camera operators.²

County officials have temporarily covered the unclaimed cameras in plastic, with notices indicating they will be removed within 30 days, a deadline that could fall between October 16 and October 20. One camera has already gone missing, further complicating the situation. Flock has reached out to county officials to resolve the mystery, but the lack of clarity has left residents and officials alike demanding answers.³⁴

As the deadline approaches, the county is under pressure to ensure that the camera operators come forward, or face the consequences of removal. The situation reflects broader concerns about the use of surveillance technology and its implications for privacy and safety in the community.