By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- The Oviedo Police Department in Florida arrested a man Aug. 20 for destroying a decoy automated license plate reader camera the department had installed.
- Officials set up 3D-printed decoy cameras after identifying a concentration of vandalism targeting real Flock Safety cameras in the area.
- Officers found the man after he used pruning shears to cut the device from its mount, then threw it to the ground and broke it before running from the scene.
- He stopped when a police sergeant activated emergency lights and issued commands, and told investigators the cameras made him feel constantly watched.
- The man was charged with criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 in damage, grand theft and damaging or taking a computer or electronic device.
OVIEDO, Fla. — The Oviedo Police Department arrested a man Aug. 20 for destroying a decoy automated license plate reader camera the agency had installed as part of an effort to catch those responsible for a wave of vandalism targeting its real Flock Safety cameras, according to ClickOrlando.com.
Police said the decoys, which were 3D-printed and do not collect license plate data, were placed after officials noticed vandalism incidents were concentrated in one area. Officers identified the man after he used pruning shears to cut one of the decoy cameras from its mount, then threw it to the ground and broke it into multiple pieces.
The man ran from the scene but stopped when a police sergeant activated emergency lights and issued commands, according to the report. He told investigators that two of the cameras were located near his home and made him feel like a “constant eye” was watching him, and said he had read online criticism of the technology. He said he intended to use the shears only to remove the camera and not against officers.
The man was arrested and charged with criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 in damage, grand theft of property valued between $750 and $5,000, and damaging or taking a computer, electronic device or related equipment.