BAKER COUNTY, Fla. — The Baker County Sheriff’s Office is discontinuing its use of license plate reader technology, Sheriff Scotty Rhoden announced Monday following state-level developments and public concerns over the system.
This comes after the Florida Department of Transportation revoked permits for license plate reader cameras installed by local law enforcement within state highway rights-of-way.
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Rhoden said the department made the determination to discontinue the technology to maintain public confidence. He noted that while automated license plate readers serve as a helpful law enforcement resource, preserving community trust remains equally important.
Rhoden explained that the technology helped law enforcement locate wanted persons, identify vehicles linked to criminal activity, recover stolen property and gather investigative leads to solve cases.
“License Plate Reader (LPR) technology has been a very valuable law enforcement tool for the Baker County Sheriff’s Office,” Rhoden said in a statement.
RELATED: Bradford County Sheriff orders immediate end to license plate reader use
Despite its operational benefits, community members expressed privacy and usage concerns regarding the automated systems.
“As Sheriff of Baker County, I have a responsibility to listen to the concerns of the citizens I serve and to ensure that the tools and technology used by the Baker County Sheriff’s Office are used in a manner that maintains the confidence and trust of our community,” Rhoden said.
Rhoden said BCSO will comply with the state’s directive.
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“ ... I have determined that the Baker County Sheriff’s Office will discontinue the use of LPR technology at this time,” Rhoden said. “While technology can provide law enforcement with valuable resources, maintaining the trust of the people we serve is equally important.”
The sheriff said ending the license plate reader program will not diminish overall public safety efforts in Baker County.
“I want the citizens of Baker County to know that this decision does not change our commitment to public safety,” Rhoden said. “As your Sheriff, I remain committed to doing what is necessary to keep Baker County safe while protecting the rights, privacy and trust of our citizens.”
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Earlier Monday, Putnam County Sheriff “Gator” DeLoach announced that the 18 cameras throughout Putnam County would be taken down and Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office would comply with the state directive.
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook also announced the removal of the license plate readers. Nassau Sheriff Bill Leeper said of the removal of the cameras in his county, “As technology continues to evolve, we welcome the opportunity to work with our local and state partners to ensure these tools are used appropriately, responsibly and as intended to assist in solving serious crimes, locating missing or endangered persons and recovering stolen property while also protecting the rights and privacy of our citizens.”
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