Pinellas County Sheriff defends 300 license plate cameras as county stalls on removal
Commissioners tabled a vote to remove automated readers from unincorporated roads, waiting for state lawmakers to set consistent rules.
By Amit Chukwu ·
Pinellas County will keep automated license plate readers on its unincorporated roads for now. The county commission voted Tuesday to pause the debate over removing the devices. They are waiting for state legislators to clarify how the technology should be regulated.
The cameras, which include Flock units, continue to monitor traffic despite resident concerns. Paul Merola, a Tarpon Springs resident, expressed doubt about the technology's reliability. He noted that other sheriffs and law enforcement agencies across the state have ended their programs. Merola stated that while the cameras can serve a good purpose, the trend elsewhere suggests the system is not perfect.
Commissioner David Eggers supported delaying the decision until after the next Florida legislative session. He cited inconsistent rules across the state as a primary driver for the wait. Eggers suggested the county could step back, let the state establish policies, and then revisit the local issue.
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri defended the equipment as a valuable tool for fighting crime. He told commissioners that the county operates just under 300 of these cameras. Gualtieri explained that if the county had passed an ordinance restricting the devices on county roads, he would have relocated them to other areas of Pinellas County.
The sheriff urged the state legislature to prioritize regulations for license plate readers. He expressed strong confidence that lawmakers will act on the issue. Gualtieri stated that consistent guardrails are necessary for the technology to function properly across the state.
Commissioner Vince Nowicki, who placed the item on the agenda, argued for local action. He felt county leaders should not wait for guidance from Tallahassee. Nowicki observed that while many people agree something needs to change, few are willing to take the lead locally.
The commission plans to discuss its legislative priorities at a meeting next month. That discussion will likely include the status of license plate reader regulations in the state.
