Your local police may be using AI surveillance—here’s what you need to know

Earlier this month, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office announced it was expanding its use of AI-powered surveillance cameras across the county. The new system, supplied by Flock Safety, adds automatic license plate readers and video analytics to dozens of intersections and public spaces. Facial recognition software is also part of the mix, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

The move is part of a larger pattern: police departments across the country are quietly adopting AI tools to monitor public areas, track vehicles, and even predict crime. If you live in a midsize city or suburban county, there’s a good chance your local police are either using similar technology or considering it.

This article explains what’s happening, why it matters for your privacy, and how to find out what’s going on in your own community.

What happened

The Sarasota Sheriff’s Office has been using Flock Safety cameras for several years, primarily for license plate recognition. The new expansion adds more cameras and enables AI-based object detection—for example, identifying a specific make and color of car or flagging a person’s face against a watchlist. The sheriff’s office says the system is intended to help solve crimes faster and deter criminal activity.

Local privacy advocates have raised concerns about the lack of public debate before the expansion. The Herald-Tribune noted that the county commission did not vote on the contract, and the sheriff’s office did not hold any public hearings. The technology is funded through a mix of state grants and donations from a local nonprofit.

Why it matters

AI surveillance tools collect massive amounts of data on people who are not suspected of any crime. Every time you drive through an intersection with a Flock camera, your license plate and vehicle description are recorded and stored. Facial recognition systems can match your face against databases of mugshots or even driver’s license photos. Over time, this data can reveal where you live, work, shop, and who you associate with.

There are several specific privacy risks:

  • Lack of oversight. In many jurisdictions, law enforcement agencies can deploy AI surveillance without a public vote or even a formal policy. Sarasota is not unique in this regard.
  • Bias. Studies have shown that facial recognition software is less accurate for people with darker skin. False matches could lead to wrongful stops or arrests.
  • Function creep. Systems originally sold for crime-solving can be repurposed for immigration enforcement, protest monitoring, or tracking political activity.
  • No clear deletion rules. Data retention policies are often vague. Some departments keep footage for weeks, others for years—or indefinitely.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have tracked police surveillance programs nationwide. According to their research, dozens of cities and counties now use automated license plate readers, and many have either piloted or deployed facial recognition.

What readers can do

You don’t have to wait for a news story to find out what’s happening locally. Here are practical steps to assess and respond to AI surveillance in your area:

1. Check what tools your police already use

Start with a simple search: “[Your city/county] police surveillance” or “[Your city] Flock Safety.” Local news outlets often cover these contracts. You can also search the EFF’s “Atlas of Surveillance” database, which compiles known police technology purchases. If you find a new system deployed, note whether there was a public vote or a policy governing its use.

2. File a public records request

If you want the details, submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or state public records request. Ask for contracts, purchase orders, data-sharing agreements, and privacy policies. The EFF provides templates and guides for doing this. Expect some pushback, but in most states, these records are legally accessible.

3. Attend city council or sheriff’s office meetings

Many local governments approve surveillance contracts at routine meetings with little public notice. Check upcoming agendas for items related to “public safety technology” or “law enforcement equipment.” Show up or submit written comments. Even a few voices can shift the conversation.

4. Support local privacy legislation

Some cities and states have passed ordinances requiring transparency, data retention limits, and independent oversight before new surveillance tools can be used. Examples include San Francisco’s ban on facial recognition for city agencies and Portland, Oregon’s similar restrictions. Ask your local elected officials whether they support such rules.

5. Protect your own data

While individual actions can’t stop mass surveillance, you can reduce your digital footprint. For example:

  • Avoid parking your car in visible areas over long periods if you’re concerned about license plate tracking.
  • Use services that don’t require facial recognition or biometric verification.
  • Check privacy settings on apps and devices that might share location data with police.

None of these steps are foolproof, but they help limit the amount of information available to third parties.

Sources

This article was updated to reflect publicly available information as of May 2026. Some details about specific contracts or tools may change as local policies evolve.