Pinellas Sheriff Plans to Relocate Flock Cameras if County Orders Removal
As the Pinellas County Commission considers removing Flock cameras from county roads, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has made it clear he intends to keep them operating. “I’ll just move them. Put them up somewhere else,” he told commissioners.
To make good on that promise, the Sheriff’s Office is reportedly developing a plan to relocate the cameras to private property if the restrictions are approved.
The Police Equipment Relocation Venture would establish public-private partnerships with local businesses, allowing the Sheriff’s Office to expand its surveillance network.
Security consultant Graham Whitmore praised the opportunity to reach previously overlooked locations.
Whitmore said hundreds of businesses were carefully evaluated for the program. Among the first to participate will be nail salons, beauty parlors, bridal shops, day spas, and yoga studios.
“We’ve never had much visibility at these establishments,” Whitmore explained. “This will help us reach areas we’ve historically overlooked.”
Other locations under consideration include women’s gyms, maternity boutiques, breast imaging centers, women’s shelters, and gynecologists’ offices.
“We’re always looking to fill in the gaps in our coverage,” Whitmore said. “The fact that nearly all these establishments cater to women is coincidental.”
Asked what purpose license plate readers would serve at businesses where many customers arrive on foot, Whitmore dismissed the concern.
“We’ve anticipated that issue and are making the necessary accommodations,” he said.
Whitmore said the program could eventually bring cameras into places where they haven’t traditionally been welcomed, including fitting rooms, changing areas, and women’s locker rooms.
Residential properties could also be considered as the program expands.
Asked whether PERV would proceed if commissioners decided to leave the existing cameras in place, Whitmore suggested the initiative has already gained momentum.
“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into developing these partnerships,” he explained. “It would be a shame to let all of that work go to waste.”
“We just want to make sure everyone in Pinellas County feels like they’re being watched over.”
