James Fishback on Flock Cameras 8.1.2026

Our Take

Credit to SteveOstereo for capturing this exchange — a Florida gubernatorial candidate fielding a direct townhall question about AI-powered Flock cameras. We haven't verified every word of his answer, and we're not in the business of amplifying campaign talking points, but the moment itself matters: ALPR surveillance has officially graduated from city council agendas to statewide political debate. That's a sign of how fast this technology has spread, and how unprepared most elected officials still are to answer basic questions about it.

What we'd want any candidate, in Florida or anywhere else, to actually grapple with isn't vague support or opposition to "AI cameras" as a buzzword. It's the specifics: who has access to the billions of plate scans these networks generate, how long the data is retained, whether out-of-state and federal agencies can query it, and what oversight — if any — exists once a camera goes up. Floridians already live under one of the densest Flock networks in the country, so a candidate's position on this isn't theoretical. It's a policy with teeth in neighborhoods right now.

We'll keep tracking how this issue shows up in campaigns as 2026 heats up. In the meantime, check our camera map to see what's already watching your own commute, and visit take action if you want to push your local officials for real answers instead of soundbites.