The same Flock license plate reader cameras that Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells credited with arresting 137 felons are being deliberately destroyed across Sarasota County, with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and two other local agencies confirming damage to their equipment in recent days.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the North Port Police Department both confirmed to WWSB that they have found damaged or vandalized Flock cameras. Neither agency disclosed how many cameras were affected or the cost of repairs.

First Reported Vandalism Case Costs City $800 in Repairs

In the city of Sarasota, police discovered a damaged Flock camera on South Tuttle Avenue near Hibiscus Street on Tuesday, Aug. 11, according to WWSB. Both the camera and its solar panel were damaged and taken offline. It was the first reported case of Flock camera damage in the city. Repairs will cost about $800, and police are investigating the incident as a crime.

No suspects have been identified.

St. Petersburg Camera Spray-Painted Gold as Vandalism Spreads

In St. Petersburg, someone spray-painted a Flock camera gold over the weekend of Aug. 9-10, Patch reported. In total, four Tampa Bay law enforcement agencies have reported vandalism.

The cameras automatically alert officers when a plate linked to a stolen vehicle, missing person or active warrant passes by, and police can search historical data to trace vehicles connected to crimes. Sarasota police maintain 57 Flock cameras throughout the city.

Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Major, whose department's cameras have not been targeted, warned that damaging the equipment is a felony. "It is a crime. You know you're going to be arrested for a felony, and we don't want that," Major told WWSB on Aug. 10.

Manatee Sheriff Details Data Safeguards Amid Debate

The vandalism adds urgency to a debate Lakewood Ranch-area residents have been following. At a July 30 budget meeting, Wells told Manatee County commissioners that personnel must have both a case number and a legitimate law enforcement purpose before accessing any plate data, with biweekly audits and monthly data purges. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office proposed $280.2 million fiscal 2027 budget includes annual service fees for the Flock system.

Residents, Officials Weigh Privacy Against Public Safety

Former Sarasota Police Deputy Chief Steven Moyer told WWSB that the technology has helped police track down suspects, including a kidnapping case in Polk County, but said it must be closely monitored.

Sarasota resident Conor Green, who opposes the cameras on privacy grounds, told WWSB he still doesn't condone vandalism. He said people should lobby against the technology through proper channels rather than destroy public property.

St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway defended the cameras in a news release, saying his department retains video for only 30 days, limits access and requires documentation for every search.

All four investigations remain open. Anyone with information about the Sarasota incident can contact the Sarasota Police Department.