Miami Beach commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 10 to keep the city's license plate reader cameras running. The vote directs officials to explore moving about 20 cameras from state roads to private property rather than comply with Gov. Ron DeSantis' removal order.

The commission approved a three-point plan: seek a state extension on the 30-day removal deadline, explore relocating cameras to hotels and condominiums and strengthen privacy safeguards.

Mayor Points to Private Property Solution

Mayor Steven Meiner said private businesses have already volunteered to host the cameras on their property, according to the Miami Herald.

"I understand the privacy concerns, but there's a way to do this and balance both," Meiner said, adding that the city would continue to deter crime while addressing privacy.

The city has about 40 license plate reader cameras. Roughly half sit on state rights-of-way subject to the removal order, according to Hoodline. City officials will determine whether a $50,000 budget would cover the relocation. No private property owner would be forced to participate.

State Order Followed Reports of Camera Misuse

The Florida Department of Transportation issued a memo Aug. 31 revoking all permits for automated plate readers on state roads statewide and giving local governments 30 days to comply. The order followed reports of widespread misuse. A USA Today investigation found at least 22 police and sheriff's officials nationwide had been arrested, fired, placed on leave or put under investigation for misusing Flock Safety cameras. In one case that helped trigger DeSantis' order, a former Sarasota police officer allegedly ran 355 searches on a single license plate, including 121 in one day.

Miami Beach Reports No History of Misuse

Miami Beach does not use Flock cameras. The department operates readers from Motorola Solutions and Axon Outpost and has run the program since 2013, updating its privacy policies over time, according to the Herald. Police Chief Wayne Jones said there have been no reports of misuse in the city.

Jones pointed to a case where a witness spotted a license plate on a man armed with an AR-15 in Coral Gables. Police ran the tag through Miami Beach's system and arrested the suspect on the island an hour and a half later.

County Takes Opposite Approach on Cameras

While Miami Beach is pushing back, Miami-Dade County is falling in line. Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz announced the county was suspending its entire plate reader program and taking 84 county-owned Flock cameras offline, Local 10 reported.

Mayors Ask State for Removal Delay

Meiner organized a coalition of seven Miami-Dade mayors who sent a joint letter Sept. 1 to DeSantis and FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue asking for a pause on the removal order. The mayors of Bay Harbor Islands, Bal Harbour, Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Golden Beach and Indian Creek co-signed the letter.

Commissioner Calls for Civilian Oversight

Commissioner David Suarez said he supports the cameras but wants civilian oversight of the data, not just police control.

"There should be a fine line between privacy and a tool for police to use when it comes to public safety," Suarez said.

Police Chief Jones is scheduled to present an outline of additional safeguards to the city commission Oct. 14. Residents can attend commission meetings at City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive.