Fifteen minutes is enough to start.

Hi, my name is [name] and I live in [neighborhood], District [number].

I'm calling about the automated license plate readers in the county.

I'd like the Commissioner to vote against renewing that contract, and to have the cameras taken down. These cameras photograph every car that passes them and keep the record. That is a search of people nobody suspects of anything, and I do not think the county has the authority to run one.

This does not stop any investigation. If deputies have reason to suspect somebody, they can go to a judge and get a warrant.

Is there an address where I can send that in writing? Thank you for your time.

Subject: Please vote to end the license plate reader contract

Dear Commissioner [name],

I live in [neighborhood], District [number]. I am writing about the automated license plate readers operating in St. Johns County.

I am asking you to end the program. Specifically:

1. Vote against the next renewal, and cancel the contract that is running.
2. Turn the cameras off and take them down.
3. Delete the captures the county holds. Get written confirmation from the vendor, and from every agency the county shared with, that their copies are deleted too.
4. Take that vote at a regular meeting with public comment, not on consent.

These cameras photograph every car that passes them. They keep the plate, the make, the color and any marking on the vehicle, and they stamp each record with a time and a place. Nobody in that record is suspected of anything. The Fourth Amendment requires probable cause and a description of what is to be searched, and a system that records everyone offers neither.

None of this stops an investigation. A judge can still issue a warrant for anyone the sheriff's office has reason to suspect.

Will you vote to end the contract? I would like a yes or a no.

Thank you,
[Full name]
[Street address]
[Phone or email]

Good morning. My name is [name]. I live in District [number].

I am here about the license plate readers.

These cameras photograph every car that passes them. Not the ones on a hotlist. Every one. The record keeps the plate, the make, the color, any bumper sticker or damage, and it is stamped with the time and the location of the camera.

Nobody in that record is suspected of anything. That is a search of everyone, run first and justified afterwards, and I do not believe this county has the authority to run it.

I am asking this board to end the program.

One. Vote against renewal and cancel the contract.
Two. Turn the cameras off and take them down.
Three. Delete what has been collected, including the vendor's copies.
Four. Take that vote at a regular meeting, with public comment, not on consent.

This stops no investigation. If deputies have reason to suspect somebody, they can go to a judge and get a warrant, the same as they did before these cameras went up.

I would like to know whether this board will end it. Thank you.

Subject: Public records request, automated license plate readers

To the records custodian,

Under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, I request copies of the following:

1. All contracts, purchase orders, invoices and quotes between [agency] and Flock Safety, or any other automated license plate reader vendor, from [date] to the present.

2. The agency's written policy governing the use of automated license plate readers, including retention period and which personnel may run a search.

3. Any data sharing agreement, memorandum of understanding or network sharing arrangement that lets an outside agency search data captured by cameras this agency operates.

4. A list of the camera locations currently in service.

5. Search audit logs for [start date] through [end date], showing the date of each search, the agency and user role that ran it, and the stated reason. Personal identifying information may be redacted.

I would prefer these in electronic form. If any portion is exempt, please cite the specific statutory exemption for each withholding. If the cost will exceed $25, please give me an estimate before you begin.

Thank you,
[Name]
[Email address]