Flock cameras damaged in Fort Lauderdale as debate over license plate readers grows

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Detectives with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department are investigating damage to two Flock cameras as communities across the country debate the use of automated license plate readers and concerns over privacy.

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The two cameras, located between Southwest 21st and 22nd streets, were damaged, according to an incident report.

The report said the cameras were “melted and slashed” and that it was unknown who caused the damage. The cameras are valued at about $3,000 each.

Flock cameras use artificial intelligence and license plate recognition technology to capture vehicle information, including license plates, makes, models and colors. The information can be searched by law enforcement agencies that have access to the system.

The technology has drawn opposition from privacy advocates and residents who argue that widespread use of the cameras amounts to an invasion of privacy.

In June, 19-year-old River Isaiah Blair, of Jacksonville Beach, was arrested and accused of spray-painting Flock cameras in the Jacksonville area.

According to his arrest report, investigators used Flock cameras to help identify him. The report also says he made statements about disliking Flock cameras and said he did not trust license plate readers.

The cameras have been vandalized or obstructed in other parts of the country as opposition to the technology has grown.

According to DeFlock, a website that maps Flock cameras, there are about 800 cameras in Broward County and 400 in Miami-Dade County.

FLPD confirmed their agency is in the process of executing a new agreement with Flock.

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The technology also has faced scrutiny over how law enforcement agencies use the information. Several police officers in the United States have been accused of misusing license plate reader systems to track people, including former romantic partners.

Some residents have called on their cities to end their agreements with Flock. In Milford, California, residents have publicly challenged the use of the cameras.

Law enforcement agencies, however, say the technology is an important crime-fighting tool. About 40% of police agencies have contracts with Flock, according to the company.

Flock says its technology helps law enforcement solve more than 700,000 crimes annually.

The company also says its technology has helped locate missing people. They said in 2025, more than 10,000 missing people were located with the help of the technology.

This week, two children who were abducted from Columbia County, along with the suspect accused of kidnapping them, were found with the help of Flock technology, according to police.

No arrests have been made in connection with the damage to the two Fort Lauderdale cameras, and the incident report says there were no witnesses.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact FLPD at 954- 828-5700.

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