A former Sarasota police officer is facing arrest after an investigation found he repeatedly accessed Flock camera data to search the same license plate. Cory Waiters, 38, was terminated and arrested on Aug. 19. The internal probe began after a USA Today reporter flagged suspicious patterns in database use, including one day in June when Waiters ran the same plate 121 times. The department completed an agency-wide audit of database use on Aug. 14.
The case raises important questions for residents across Suncoast communities about how surveillance technology is used. Flock cameras are designed to protect neighborhoods, but this situation shows what can happen when access is abused. According to the investigation, Waiters used his phone to access the system off-hours, sometimes hundreds of times a day. The fact that a reporter caught the behavior underscores the value of transparency and accountability.
Sarasota Police have said they take these matters seriously and have completed a full audit of database use. For now, the story is a reminder to stay informed about how local agencies use the tools they have. What do you think about how police use license plate cameras in our area? Share your thoughts in the comments.</
