FBI agent warns license plate reader removal is ‘an overreaction’ as St. Johns County revokes permits for county roads

A growing movement to remove automated license plate readers from Florida roads is drawing praise from privacy advocates and sharp criticism from law enforcement — and a recent commission vote in St. Johns County has pushed the debate back into the spotlight.A group called DeFlock St. Johns launched a petition in July to push for the removal of the cameras in the county. The effort gained momentum after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the Department of Transportation to pull permits for all automated license plate readers on state roads, citing citizens’ privacy rights. The order also came amid mounting reports of some officers using license plate data to spy on former partners.Debra Campbell, the founder of DeFlock St. Johns, said she feels vindicated by the commission’s vote to remove the cameras.RELATED | In split vote, St. Johns County commissioners revoke permits for all license plate readers on county roadsA tool that ‘solves crimes and saves lives’Not everyone is celebrating.