Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner is leading an effort by several South Florida mayors to push back against Florida’s decision to revoke permits for automated license plate readers on state roads.
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In a letter dated Sept. 1, Meiner urged Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue to pause enforcement of a 30-day deadline requiring the cameras to be removed.
Meiner said on X that several mayors joined the letter after it was sent and that more could sign on.
“I share the state’s respect for privacy rights and recognize the legitimate concerns that prompted the decision,” Meiner wrote. “But a blanket revocation with no transition plan puts public safety at risk.”
South Florida mayors unite, but not all
The version of the letter shared by Meiner includes signatures from the mayors of Bay Harbor Islands, Bal Harbour Village, Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Golden Beach and Indian Creek Village.
The mayors are asking the state to pause enforcement of the removal deadline while officials consult affected municipalities. The letter also calls for a process that would allow local law enforcement agencies to seek continued use of the systems under enhanced state oversight, audits and data-governance standards.
The group is also requesting a role for municipalities and local law enforcement in any statewide regulation of license plate readers, along with published criteria distinguishing responsibly operated local programs from cases of misuse.
Meiner acknowledged concerns involving data retention, access and oversight but argued the state’s directive does not distinguish between well-governed municipal programs and systems that may have been misused.
“Asking for a balanced approach”
“I’m asking for a balanced approach with real oversight addressing privacy concerns, not an outright ban,” Meiner wrote. “Our residents deserve both privacy and safety.”
According to Meiner, license plate reader technology has helped Miami Beach police trace fleeing suspects, recover stolen vehicles, remove illegal weapons and drugs, and investigate violent crimes.
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Meiner told NBC 6 that about half of the 40 license plate readers in Miami Beach are located on state roads and would be affected by the order. He said the cameras have been particularly important during major events such as spring break.
“It’s helped trace cars of violent criminals. It’s taken guns off our streets,” Meiner said.
FDOT sent a memorandum
The dispute follows an FDOT memorandum directing license plate recognition systems be removed from roads in the State Highway System within 30 days. The cameras can capture images of license plates along with a vehicle’s make, model and color.
The order came after DeSantis publicly questioned how companies manage the information collected by the cameras and whether sufficient oversight exists.
“Where is this data going?” DeSantis said. “They claim the companies aren’t going to misuse it, but no one is watching that.”
Miami-Dade moved quickly
Meanwhile, Miami-Dade moved quickly to comply with the state directive. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office announced that cameras located on FDOT infrastructure would be taken offline and that its license plate reader program would be suspended in its entirety.
Some Miami-Dade commissioners support the state’s action.
Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins said privacy must be protected in an increasingly connected world and that the cameras had gone too far. Commissioner Rene Garcia said the systems had served a purpose but had overstepped and were compromising residents’ privacy and security.
Law enforcement agencies across Florida, including the Neptune Beach Police Department, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and Clay County Sheriff’s Office, have said they will comply with the order while emphasizing the value license plate readers provide in criminal investigations.
FDOT has said it will remove any cameras that remain in place after the 30-day compliance period.
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