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License-plate readers · Polk County

Polk County

Using license-plate readers · 2 agencies documented

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Polk County Sheriff's Office

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Flock Safety
Cameras
Count not documented
Total not shared by agency
  1. Sept. 2026 Will keep using license-plate readers that are not on state rights-of-way. Sheriff Grady Judd: "We don't need to do away with the best tool to keep you safe." (WUSF, Sept. 2, 2026)
  2. Sept. 1, 2026 Removal of cameras on state highways had begun; agency will continue operating readers "not located on state road rights-of-way." Sheriff Grady Judd described the cameras as "provided by Flock." (LkldNow, Sept. 2, 2026)
  3. Sept. 30, 2026 Agency reported compliance with the removal order. (Tampa Bay 28 (WFTS), Sept. 30, 2026)

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Lakeland Police Department

Status
Using license-plate readers
Vendors
Flock Safety, Verra Mobility, Axon
Cameras
27
Stationary Flock ALPR cameras as of Nov. 2025; separately, 165 Axon in-car systems with license-plate reader technology
Contract
Verra Mobility: $57,000 per year ($250 per camera per month, 19 Flock Falcon readers, plus $6,650 installation; funded by red-light camera proceeds) · from Oct. 2023 (LkldNow, Oct. 24, 2023)
  1. Oct. 2, 2023 City Commission approved a lease contract (Verra Mobility) for 19 Flock Falcon readers; article links a 10-02-23 commission agenda. (LkldNow, Oct. 24, 2023)
  2. June 2025 City Commission voted to add eight ALPR cameras. No tally reported. (LkldNow, Nov. 7, 2025)
  3. Sept. 1, 2026 Department operates Flock cameras on state highways and city streets; will not disclose locations; removal had not started as of Sept. 1. (LkldNow, Sept. 2, 2026)
  4. Sept. 30, 2026 Department reported the affected cameras were removed. No count given. (Tampa Bay 28 (WFTS), Sept. 30, 2026)
Conflicts and open questions
  • Flock data retained 30 days; investigative footage moved to Axon Evidence.com (LkldNow, Nov. 2025). Retrieve 10-02-2023 and June 2025 commission agenda items to upgrade to 'record'.

Reported by news outlets; agency records not yet obtained.

Statewide

  1. Aug. 31, 2026 The Florida Department of Transportation revoked permits and ordered all automated license-plate readers off state roads within 30 days. Gov. Ron DeSantis: "I don't want to have this become a surveillance state." (Axios Tampa Bay, Sept. 1, 2026; WUSF, Sept. 2, 2026)
  2. Sept. 30, 2026 The 30-day deadline for removing license-plate readers from state roads passed. (Florida Phoenix, Sept. 30, 2026)