Pasco Sheriff Ends Flock Camera Deal, Keeps Other LPRs

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco will terminate an agreement that allowed his office to install Flock license plate detection systems in county rights of way. The interlocal agreement officially ends Sept. 30.

The decision follows discussions at Pasco County Board of County Commissioners meetings on Aug. 11 and Aug. 25. Commissioners indicated they no longer support the agreement, which the board initially approved unanimously on Dec. 10, 2024.

"It is clear to me from the discussion at the last two meetings... that a majority of the Board of County Commissioners no longer support this agreement which you passed unanimously on Dec. 10, 2024," Sheriff Nocco stated in a letter to the commissioners.

The Sheriff's Office maintained strict policies for the license plate readers. Florida law permits data retention for up to two years, but the agency preserved information for only 30 days. Deputies could access the system solely for felony investigations and select misdemeanors, requiring a direct connection to a call for service or case number and written explanations for each use.

Sheriff Nocco asserted the office's policies exceeded state law and surrounding jurisdictions' requirements. He noted no privacy concerns raised at commission meetings materialized in the county.

However, Nocco cautioned that ending the agreement will hinder crime-solving capabilities and complicate efforts to locate missing or endangered individuals, including victims of human trafficking. The termination is also expected to strain office resources and impact response times.

This termination specifically affects license plate detection systems in county rights of way. Systems on private property, such as those owned by homeowners associations, community development districts, retailers, and private property owners, will continue to operate. Cameras in state-owned rights of way, managed by the Florida Department of Transportation, also remain unaffected.

The Sheriff's Office announced Aug. 10 its plan to transition from Flock to Axon for its automated plate readers.