Congressman Greg Steube (R-Fla.) is doubling down in his fight against government mass surveillance, once again calling out the controversial use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered security cameras by local law enforcement.
“A Sarasota police officer was just arrested and fired following an investigation into the alleged misuse of Flock and other law enforcement databases,” Rep. Steube wrote on X, arguing that such advanced technology in the hands of the government is a problem.
“When you give the government the ability to track people, someone WILL abuse it,” Rep. Steube added.
Sarasota Cop Tracked License Plate Over 350 Times
The Sarasota Police Department recently announced the arrest of Cory Waiters, a former Sarasota police officer accused of official misconduct and offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices, as well as violation of public records law.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Waiters allegedly ran the same Florida license plate more than 350 times through the Flock Safety license plate reader database between May and October 2025.
Waiters is also accused of using the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID) to search for the same license tag.
Investigators wrote that the suspect was not working on an active criminal investigation tied to the vehicle during the search period.
“We take allegations of misconduct seriously,” Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche said. “When an agency member’s actions fall short of the standards and professionalism we expect, we will address it appropriately and without hesitation.”
Back-To-Back Flock Misuse Arrests
The Sarasota report comes a week after reports of a Haines City law enforcement officer being arrested on charges similar to Waiters'.
Christopher Goodson of the Haines City Police Department was accused of tracking his estranged wife through Flock more than 700 times in the span of nearly two years.
Congressman Steube Doubles Down
“Our Fourth Amendment rights don’t disappear because technology advances,” Congressman Steube said. "BLOCK THE FLOCK!"
