“Out of control.”—Governor Ron DeSantis.
Okay, Sheriff Michelle Cook, you’ve lost our governor on the issue of privacy versus Flock roadside cameras. You’ve lost Ron DeSantis, the most law-and-order governor in the country.
You cannot deny that there is a nationwide backlash against these license-reading, data-storing, artificial intelligence creations. Depending on whom you ask, there are between 7,000 and 10,000 of them across the state.
“Out of control” was DeSantis’ description of the surveillance network now recording motorist movement throughout Florida and here at home, adding:
Go after criminals? Great, let’s do all that. But surveilling just regular Floridians’ movements and how that data is used? That’s a bird of a different feather. I don’t want to be in a situation where these tech companies know everything about you and where you’re going. And I know they collect a lot as it is, but I think it’s going to get a lot worse unless we have some protections for the people in Florida. The only way it could be dealt with is legislatively.
This should be a come-to-Jesus moment for you, madame sheriff.
We have counted the days: 1,170 have passed since your office installed license plate reading cameras throughout the county—without ever having discussed your plan with the people who live here. No vote was ever taken.
Not so much as a “by your leave.”
Please, please, Sheriff Cook, be a guest on our podcast. Or if you prefer, let us interview you. The people of Clay County deserve to hear your side of the story amidst the din of national and statewide debate.
We have dutifully showed up when you have summoned us to be chewed out by you. The least you can do is to show our citizens some respect and agree to a civil conversation with us.
At least two people have been arrested and taken to states they have never bern to due to artificial intelligence. Lost everything to fake charges. Why the judges in their home counties didnt save them, i dont know. Actually i think the flock saved a young woman after she was charged with vehicular homicide even though her confiscated car had no damage. You would think that highway patrol would make it a priority to investigate 3 deaths. The woman got saved by a good attorney. After she was detained with no bond , he forced them to actually look at her car. Then they actually found the right person. Not only was her car not damaged but she had never driven 100 mph . Cars electronic showed this.
I have heard good things about Sheriff Cook and from what I understand is reasonable. I suspect it is not just a local decision but probably pushed by larger law enforcement societies and associations as the most up to date modern version of law enforcement. Supported by the fact that other counties have trendily been installing flock around the same time.
If there is a specific need that needs to be addressed with Flock, state it and why not consider a time limit for them. Reassess or repermit them in a couple years.
Also, its not just Flock. Its locatikn on your phone, wearable tech, dash cams, closed circuit cams, satelitte cams, credit card.records, shopping memberships, internet cookies,etc. You should be just as up in arms about that in your life as Flock. Flock is used by the government which has some regulation. Google and Meta are arguably more powerful and for sure less restrained In my opinion.