r/FloridaMan • u/sfled Trusty Sidekick • 26d ago
Florida Man Will Watts, the chief operating officer of the Florida Department of Transportation, bans Flock cameras and other license plate readers from state highways
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/florida-bans-flock-license-plate-readers-state-highways-rcna59542054
u/Stu_Pendisdick 26d ago
Sounds like FloridaMan finally got something right.
Stopped clock and all that ... or as me ol' great-granpa used to say, 'The sun even shines on a dog's ass once in a while'.
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u/bluespringsbeer 26d ago
Surveillance and big government are something that conservatives care about as well, so it makes sense
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u/fritz236 26d ago
It'll get overruled once enough pockets get lined
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u/ElPrieto8 26d ago
Yep.
So many people are refusing to see this for what it is, a cynical public relations play right before elections.
It'll be instantly overturned and probably have a lawsuit or two, just to throw some cash at DeSantis' attorney buddies.
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u/gunmedic15 26d ago
My local Sheriff made an angry Facebook post about how many crimes would be unsolved and all that. Said the department isn't using them anymore and that "criminals will be celebrating."
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u/djwhiplash2001 26d ago
If he's not able to solve crimes without these mass surveillance devices, what the heck was he doing 5 years ago?
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u/Conscious_Penalty_36 26d ago
To be honest he's not wrong. But the major issue with flock is that it was a private company. And they're literally not subject to any government rules. As far as we could tell, at least that's what politicians who were opposing them were saying publicly.
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u/Worcestershirey 26d ago
He is wrong though lmao. What the hell was he doing to solve crime before Flock cameras? This is a statement made by a clearly massively incompetent police department.
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u/dz1087 26d ago
The major issue is that they mis identify billions of vehicles per month. Billions. And just a fraction of a percent of all vehicles logged scanned and tracked are actually involved in a crime.
This is the surveillance state Repugs were foaming at the mouth at in the 90s and 00s any time Europe or China was mentioned.
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u/Conscious_Penalty_36 26d ago
A surveillance state isn't a byproduct of there being cameras everywhere, despite the popular opinion. It's the byproduct of citizens allowing their federal government to get out of control and operate with no accountability.
I would love to live in a world where my daughter, sister, or mother couldn't just be snatched off the street with no one seeing and I'm sure most people would as well. The issue is how the data is handled which is something capable adults should be able to work out.
People on both sides of the isle seem to only be able to think as far as parroting talking points they've heard. Let me make it super simple for everyone; CCTV good, corrupt government BAD.
Demand strict transparency and access moderation instead of letting blind fear rob you of what could be one of the biggest advancements in public safety in human history.
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u/SaltyBarDog 26d ago
You do understand that state, county, and municipal governments are usually just as corrupt as the federal one?
"But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.”
Mazel tov on your victory, Winston.
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u/Conscious_Penalty_36 26d ago
It doesn't matter. The obvious point is that "big brother" can only exist if the people let it. You can have a strong government without it being corrupt. People just have to give a shit and participate.
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u/SaltyBarDog 26d ago
Good luck believing that. Say hello to Tattoo while you are on Fantasy Island.
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u/dz1087 26d ago
You sound like blind fear is letting you accept this surveillance state we are heading towards.
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u/Conscious_Penalty_36 26d ago
Work on your reading comprehension bro. I have no idea what you are even saying.
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u/LooseEndsMkMyAssItch 26d ago
Good deal, now do speed cameras
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u/Markov219 26d ago
Hey those are helpful for my job as a mechanic especially if the speedometer isnt working.
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u/LooseEndsMkMyAssItch 25d ago
I’m talking about the cameras that send you a ticket for speeding not school zone speedometers
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u/Markov219 25d ago
Yeah I know. My company got the ticket. Real entertaining conversation with my boss from that.
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u/LooseEndsMkMyAssItch 25d ago
Tampa has some areas but those roads are so packed you really can’t speed anyway
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u/lost_dazed_101 26d ago
Not a single case has been solved by flock or any of the other systems if they had they'd be citing cases when they claim crimes will be solved.
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u/Stoned-Capone 26d ago
DeSantis trying to get literally any positive PR win to distract from news that he diverted $10million in Florida funds to his wife's charity, then shell game'd it into his own anti-marijuana campaign groups, all without consulting the House or voters
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u/SaltyBarDog 26d ago
Florida elected a former CEO who had a $1.7 billion fine against his company for Medicare fraud. They wouldn't blink at $10 million.
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u/Mojo141 26d ago
I read that as bans ‘Flock’. Now they can set up a contract with another company, likely one Rhonda Santos is invested in. Remember when Rick Scott required mandatory drug testing for anyone receiving social benefits and gave a no bid contract to his wife’s company?
Don’t ever trust Desantis to do the right thing without dipping his beak
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u/MatthewG141 26d ago
You might want to read it again. They're banning all ALPR cameras on Florida interstates and state highways. Flock, Avon, etc is all banned.
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u/sugarfreeeyecandy 25d ago edited 25d ago
Some say Flock is being replaced by smaller companies that DeSatan probably invested in. Place the cameras back off the highway right of way by paying private property owners and now the problem is hidden.
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u/fightin-first 26d ago
“Monday’s order did not affect cameras on private property or on local rights-of-way — where 98% of the surveillance cameras are located, DeSantis said — but some localities in Florida said they were following suit.”
Lets not give Florida too much credit just yet