Plant City residents push back against Flock cameras during tense commission meeting
PLANT CITY, Fla. - A presentation about Plant City's Flock camera system turned tense Monday night as residents challenged a Flock Safety representative over the use of license plate-reading technology in their community.
Plant City surveillance debate
What we know:
Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills and Flock Safety public affairs representative Jalen Johnson held a presentation about how the cameras work, how police access the data and what safeguards are in place.
But some residents said they remained concerned about surveillance and the technology's growing presence in the city.
Flock cameras installed
The backstory:
Plant City has had Flock cameras installed since 2025, when commissioners approved 20 cameras.
In November, commissioners unanimously approved another 22 cameras. Chief Mills said those cameras are still being installed.
Investigative data released
By the numbers:
During the presentation, Mills said the technology resulted in 101 "positive outcomes" between Jan. 1 and July 31.
Those outcomes included:
- 11 arrests1 homicide arrest1 fatal hit-and-run arrest
- 1 homicide arrest
- 1 fatal hit-and-run arrest
- Three recovered stolen vehicles
- Two missing people located
Concerned residents speak up
What they're saying:
One major point of discussion was how long license plate data is retained.
Flock Safety recently announced it was reducing its default data retention period from 30 days to seven days. But, Mills said Plant City Police will continue retaining the data for 30 days.
He said 61 sworn officers currently have access to the information.
Some residents also questioned the broader use of artificial intelligence by the department, including its new AI dispatcher for non-emergency calls.
Resident Allie Kipling questioned where the line should be drawn when it comes to emerging technology. "Please, get the Flock out of here," she said.
Meeting gets heated
Local perspective:
The presentation became heated when residents attempted to push back and ask questions.
Aaron Pickern, who said he opposes the Flock system, was eventually asked to leave the meeting.
Pickern has launched a website to organize opposition to Flock cameras.
He said he believes residents need to pay closer attention to how surveillance technology is being used.
"I think it's a horrible system to be honest," he said.
Police response
The other side:
Chief Mills said the department has policies, procedures, auditing, and multi-factor authentication in place to control access to the information.
Approved Flock cameras
What's next:
The Flock cameras have already been approved by the Plant City Commission.
That means Monday night's meeting was not a vote on whether the technology will remain in Plant City. Instead, police used the meeting to explain the system, its results and the department's policies for using the data.
The additional 22 cameras approved in November are still being installed, according to Chief Mills.
The Source: Information for this story comes from a Plant City Commission presentation by Police Chief Richard Mills and Flock Safety public affairs representative Jalen Johnson, as well as comments from Plant City residents during the meeting.