Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the debate surrounding automated license plate readers on Tuesday, calling the technology the single best tool law enforcement has ever had to protect the public and locate missing individuals.
His remarks in a video statement followed a written memorandum from the Florida Department of Transportation on Monday, August 31, 2026, which revoked permits for automated license plate readers (ALPRs) located on state highway rights-of-way. While the sheriff confirmed his agency has started removing the units from state property within the required 30-day window, he strongly defended the continued use of Flock cameras on local roads.
Judd pushed back against privacy concerns raised by critics, arguing that license plate readers are far less intrusive than other widely accepted government monitoring tools, such as body-worn cameras.
“I am 100% in favor of privacy,” Judd said. “That’s why my deputies don’t wear body cameras, because they invade your personal privacy. License plate readers do not. They don’t look at your face. They don’t come into your home.”
Judd further contrasted the two technologies by pointing out where each operates.
“The government puts body cameras on law enforcement officers and walks them into your home, your most private space,” Judd said. “We deliver horrible news to people that your loved ones have just been killed in a car crash, and the worst moments in your life is recorded on body cameras. The body cameras record your face. The body cameras come into your private business, but not one word about them, and they invade your privacy every day.”
By comparison, Judd noted that license plate readers capture vehicles and tag numbers in plain view from public roadways rather than monitoring individuals.
“LPRs, when used properly and securely, significantly contribute to public safety,” Judd said. “They help us solve crime, locate criminals and find missing and endangered children and adults. They help keep our communities safe. We will continue to use LPRs not located on state road rights-of-way.”
During the briefing, Judd pointed out that tag-reading systems are already standard practice on toll roads, school buses, red-light setups, and school speed zones. He added that Flock Safety does not sell collected vehicle information to private third parties.
To address public concerns, Judd said he plans to collaborate with the Florida Sheriffs Association and state lawmakers to formalize statewide standards, including strict auditing rules, accountability measures, and penalties for any improper use.
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