Gadsden County ends Flock camera contract amid privacy, public safety concerns

Erin Hill Gadsden County News Service

Gadsden County commissioners voted Sept. 14 to end the county’s contract for Flock license plate reader cameras after discussing the technology’s use in criminal investigations, concerns about misuse and questions about whether the cameras will be replaced.

The Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 to terminate the Flock agreement, with Commissioner Brenda Holt opposed.

The county entered into an agreement with Flock Safety in 2024 for 25 automated license plate reader cameras and access to the company’s software platform. According to county documents, the system initially cost $84,500, followed by annual costs of $77,500.

The county has paid invoices totaling $162,000 for the system. American Rescue Plan Act funds covered the first year, while subsequent costs were paid from general revenue.

The county’s action follows Gadsden County Sheriff Morris A. Young’s decision earlier this month to temporarily suspend the Sheriff’s Office’s use of the Flock camera system.

During the Sept. 14 meeting, Holt asked whether Young had indicated that he planned to replace the cameras, noting that some were located in areas where they had been used for public safety purposes.

Interim County Administrator Reginald James said the sheriff had not indicated that he wanted to replace them.

Commissioners also discussed action taken by the Florida Department of Transportation. The department revoked general use permits for automated license plate readers on the State Highway System and directed that the devices be removed from state rights of way.

Commissioner Ronterious Green said commissioners were aware of the state action but questioned whether other solutions were available. Green said the cameras had some benefits, although he believed there were more disadvantages than advantages.

Holt said camera footage had helped solve crimes in the county.

“If there’s a need for them, is there a grant or are they going to put something back?” Holt asked.

Green said commissioners did not have those answers.

Chairman Eric Hinson also raised privacy and safety concerns about the technology.

Commissioners then turned to Commissioner Shawn Wood for his perspective. Wood referenced his previous law enforcement experience in Gadsden County and said one of the most difficult parts of the job was sitting with the mother of a child who had been the victim of a violent crime and hoping investigators could provide the family with some resolution.

“When this tool came out, I was so excited,” Wood said. “There’s like three or four homicides over the last couple years that these cameras have solved.”

Wood said major crimes in multiple commission districts had involved cases in which the cameras assisted investigators. He also cited the investigation into the shooting of Florida State University football player Ethan Pritchard.

Wood said problems arise when law enforcement officers use systems for purposes for which they were not intended.

He compared the issue to law enforcement access to the Driver and Vehicle Information Database, commonly known as DAVID, saying checks and balances were put in place after officers abused that system.

“My suggestion is I would ask state leaders to revisit this and don’t kill this piece of investigative tool that you have,” Wood said. “Fix the problem.”

Wood said misuse of the DAVID system declined after officers began facing consequences, including termination and criminal charges.

Commissioners did not identify a replacement for Flock during the meeting.

Commissioners also unanimously approved an extension of the agreement for the county’s Emergency Operations Center and Public Safety Complex and approved the project’s 80% design.

The county’s agreement with the Florida Division of Emergency Management was scheduled to expire Aug. 31. The modification extends the agreement through Aug. 31, 2028.

County documents state the additional time is needed to complete final design, permitting and procurement, establish and approve a guaranteed maximum price, complete construction and close out the project. The extension does not provide additional funding.

During discussion, Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins questioned the status of the project and asked about the timeline for receiving a guaranteed maximum price from Ajax. Interim County Attorney Louis Baptiste said a firm guaranteed maximum price would not be available until bids were received.

The Public Safety Complex has been the subject of previous commission discussions. At the Aug. 4 meeting, commissioners were told that 80% of the design had been submitted to the state and was awaiting approval. Commissioners voted at that meeting to hold a special meeting within 48 hours after approval of the 80% design and finalization of the construction manager at risk agreement.

In an unrelated matter, commissioners voted 3-2 to make changes to the county’s vehicle agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management.

The Public Works Department has five vehicles leased through Enterprise and one county-owned vehicle covered by an Enterprise maintenance agreement. Under the approved proposal, the county will return four of the five leased vehicles and cancel the maintenance agreement on the county-owned vehicle.

Staff said other county vehicles that had not been sold or traded could be used for daily operations. The county estimates the changes will reduce contracted expenses by $62,289 annually.

Holt and Green opposed the measure. During discussion, Holt questioned what equipment the county needed that it could not maintain itself, while Green questioned whether the change would result in overall savings or cost the county more in the long run.

Commissioners also unanimously approved a contract and guaranteed maximum price with Tip Top Construction for renovations to the Havana Medical Center. The project has a $2 million award from the Florida Department of Commerce. The negotiated guaranteed maximum price is $1,815,328.32, including $205,765.32 in contingency funding.

The board approved a $203,860 upgrade to the Gadsden County Jail’s door control system. County staff reported that the existing equipment is aging and requires frequent repairs. The expense is included in the fiscal year 2027 jail maintenance budget.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to move forward with Cook Brothers Inc. for the second phase of renovations to the Old Courthouse.

Cook Brothers submitted a $642,695 proposal for the work. The county received $500,000 from the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources and is required to provide a $125,000 match.

In a separate matter later in the meeting, Holt made a motion to replace James as interim county administrator. Green seconded the motion.

The motion failed 2-3. Holt and Green supported replacing James, while Simpkins, Wood and Hinson opposed the motion.

The vote came as commissioners are considering the process for hiring permanent county leadership. At the Sept. 1 meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to hold a workshop with human resources on hiring a permanent county administrator and county attorney.

Gadsden County ends Flock camera contract amid privacy, public safety concerns

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