The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) reports it operates roughly 150 Flock cameras throughout Duval County. While the company touts a national record of helping solve about 10% of reported crimes, local residents are voicing concerns that the technology extends beyond public streets into private spaces such as apartment‑complex pools.
Camera placement sparks debate
On August 10, a Reddit user posted a photo showing a Flock camera aimed at the pool of the Mezza Premier Apartments in north Jacksonville. Jacksonville Today verified the camera’s presence on site. A second Flock unit was later confirmed at another Fundrise‑owned complex, The Ridley.
Fundrise, a Washington, D.C.‑based investment firm, owns the Mezza Premier property and manages roughly 9,000 residential units nationwide. As of March, the firm’s tech‑focused investment fund held $23 million in Flock stock.
Who can view the footage?
JSO officials said the agency has access to some privately held cameras but declined to detail which devices or under what circumstances. Neither Flock nor Fundrise responded to requests for comment.
Flock markets its system as a partnership between police and residential communities, emphasizing 24/7 access for law‑enforcement as a crime‑prevention tool. Unlike consumer‑grade cameras such as Ring, a Flock camera’s owner or lessor can grant ongoing agency access, a feature that appeals to landlords seeking to protect property.
Legal and privacy concerns
Homeowners’ associations (HOAs) are the largest group of Flock users, according to the company’s website. However, criminal‑defense attorney Rory Safir of St. Petersburg warns that renters in non‑HOA apartments, like Mezza Premier, have fewer protections. “There are statutes that govern Flock for public roads, but there are not for HOAs, condominiums, apartments,” Safir said. “If you’re an apartment tenant, you can’t opt out. It’s not like you even opted in.”
Safir expressed worry that footage could be used to track individuals visiting lawyers or therapists, potentially exposing sensitive information.
Police claims of effectiveness
JSO cites the cameras as having helped solve multiple murders, sexual assaults, kidnappings and other serious crimes. Yet the department does not maintain a public transparency portal that logs camera access, a practice some other police agencies have adopted.
Broader context
Flock, founded by entrepreneurs without military backgrounds, began by marketing its technology to private communities before offering police agencies access to the existing network. Researchers note the company operates differently from traditional public‑safety firms, positioning itself as a consumer‑focused platform.
Jacksonville Today has filed public‑record requests seeking details on which private cameras JSO and neighboring agencies can view.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
