The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) uses Flock Safety technology to gather objective evidence while protecting individual privacy. SJSO uses retroactive searches to help solve crimes after they happen. They also use real-time hotlist alerts to identify vehicles linked to criminal activity, missing or endangered people, Amber/Silver Alerts, wanted individuals, and other public-safety needs. To ensure the system is used correctly, SJSO has guardrails in place, provides the related policies, and conducts a quarterly audit to ensure proper usage and accountability.
Florida began utilizing LPRs for toll-based violations and billing in 2010.
The use of License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology has played a pivotal role in enhancing public safety across St. Johns County, contributing to the rapid identification of suspects, the recovery of missing individuals, and the resolution of critical incidents.
In May 2019, a suspect driving a vehicle struck and killed two bicyclists before fleeing the scene. Analysts used LPR data to identify the suspect vehicle, leading to his swift apprehension.
In March 2020, a suspect struck and killed a pedestrian before fleeing the scene. Analysts used LPR data to identify the suspect vehicle, leading to his prompt apprehension.
In October of 2024, a suspect picked up a juvenile from a bus stop and later sexually battered the child. Analysts used LPR technology to locate the suspect vehicle, and he was apprehended quickly. This case led to additional victims throughout the area. Without this technology, a child predator would not have been captured. The suspect was sentenced to life in prison for his heinous crimes.
In April 2024, deputies were alerted to a stolen vehicle entering the county. The vehicle had been reported as involved in a shooting, and after a pursuit, five suspects were taken into custody, including one who had an outstanding double‑homicide warrant from Georgia.
In January 2025, a child was struck and seriously injured while walking to a school bus stop, and the suspect fled the scene. Analysts used LPR data along with community tips to identify the suspect vehicle, leading to his quick apprehension.
In December 2025, a subject was reported missing, and it was determined that his vehicle had been scanned by an LPR four days earlier near US 1 and CR 204. Following a comprehensive search, the subject was found delirious and dehydrated in the woods close to that location. The LPR scan was critical in guiding deputies to the area and ultimately saving his life.
In March 2026, a homicide occurred in the Silverleaf area. A witness provided a partial license plate number, which analysts used to help locate the suspect vehicle. Following an LPR alert, the vehicle was identified and stopped, and the suspects were apprehended in under 30 minutes.
In March 2026, a double homicide occurred in Ponte Vedra. The case was quickly solved, and the suspect was apprehended within hours through the use of this technology.
In June 2026, an elderly woman with dementia who had gone missing from North Carolina was located following an LPR alert. She was found disoriented but safe and was reunited with her family.
Flock is a public safety technology company that builds connected camera, audio, and investigative systems to help communities respond to and investigate safety incidents using objective evidence.
Flock Does Not:
Flock Is Not:
Flock’s data servers have never been breached or hacked and is secured on an encrypted government cloud server.
Flock is an American Company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Flock does not sell or distribute SJSO data to third parties.
No outside agency can access SJSO LPR data. Verified law enforcement agencies may make an official request for images through the SJSO Intelligence Unit, and after verification of an active criminal investigation, the images may be shared.