FLORIDA — The Florida Department of Transportation said it revoked statewide permits for automated license plate recognition (LPR) systems.
A memo was issued to all permit holders statewide by Will Watts, Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Secretary for FDOT. The memo said the Department revoked all LPR-related approvals it issued to a local law enforcement agency.
FDOT is also blocking future requests, citing privacy concerns, reports of misuse and what it calls surveillance schemes.
Florida state capitol reporter Forrest Saunders said this does not eliminate every reader in Florida, only those installed by local agencies along state-controlled roads.
On August 26, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he is seeking an overview of license plate camera reader use.
Leon County Sheriff's Office suspended its use of automated license plate recognition technology while awaiting stronger oversight measures, Sheriff Walt McNeil announced August 31.
Full memo


Puerto Rican kikiriki chickens winning hearts across Florida
Puerto Rican kikiriki chickens are becoming one of Florida's fastest-growing pet trends. A Tampa Bay breeder tells Tampa Bay 28 reporter Michael Paluska the demand for the miniature birds has exploded.