Jacksonville council member Peluso proposes new local rules for Flock-style license-plate cameras

Flock-style automated license-plate readers collect and store observations of passing vehicles. In Jacksonville the technology is already widespread and has been credited by the sheriff's office with helping investigators. Neighbors and civil liberties-minded residents are increasingly worried about the scope, transparency, and potential misuse of those data. Council member Jimmy Peluso wants a local, more transparent process before additional cameras are installed.

Peluso plans to introduce legislation that would pause new camera installs while the city builds rules and oversight. His written proposals include:

• A 120-day moratorium on new Flock camera installations to allow an internal city permitting process to be created.
• A formal city inventory and reporting requirement so officials and the public know where devices are located.
• A requirement that Citizen Planning Advisory Committees (CPACs) approve installations proposed in their areas.
• A resident petition process to remove cameras, modeled on the city's existing system for speed-hump requests.

Public meeting and expected reactions

Peluso scheduled a public meeting for 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at City Hall to gather input. He has told Jacksonville Today he believes the cameras can help solve crimes but that residents should have a role in deciding if and where devices are used. He expects the sheriff's office will argue the cameras save lives and aid investigations.

Office (JSO) posted a video explaining its use of license-plate reader technology. JSO says the system is used reactively in investigations tied to calls for service and subject to audits. The sheriff's office reported having 141 fixed and nine mobile license-plate readers in service. JSO credits the technology with helping solve: 15 murders, 17 kidnappings, six forcible sex offenses, nearly 100 shootings, and 172 missing-persons cases since 2024.

At a recent City Council meeting, speakers offered contrasting views. One caller framed the issue as constitutional, arguing that mass collection and searchable storage of plate observations creates a qualitatively different capability for government tracking. Another resident said the cameras expose private details but also assist in solving missing-persons and violent-crime cases, improving public safety.

How this could change local practice

If Peluso's proposals move forward, the immediate effect would be a temporary stop on new installs while the city sets up permitting, inventory, CPAC review, and a petition-removal path. That would increase local oversight and require neighborhoods to weigh in on camera siting. It would also make the extent of publicly known camera coverage more transparent through an official inventory.

Watch for the Aug. 28 public meeting and any text of Peluso's legislation. Expect JSO responses detailing investigative benefits and audit processes. If the council advances rules, look for specifics on who manages the inventory, how audits are handled, data-retention policies, and the threshold for approving or removing cameras.