The cameras, including systems made by Flock, capture license plates and allow investigators to search records of vehicles passing camera locations. The vote came after the Florida Department of Transportation revoked permits for license plate readers in state highway rights-of-way. Law enforcement agencies were directed to comply with that state-road policy by Sept. 30.

At Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners also questioned Howard Cole, a director with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, about safeguards against misuse. Cole said the department had identified one instance of an employee using the system for personal reasons: a detective searched for a vehicle he was buying after becoming concerned he might be scammed. Cole called the search inappropriate and said the detective was disciplined and likely lost the opportunity for a promotion worth about $30,000.

Cole said the office uses measures including reviews of frequent users and unusual searches to identify activity for closer examination. He said the department had not found cases of employees using the system to stalk or search for residents.

Residents had previously urged commissioners to reject funding for the sheriff’s office license-plate-reader program. The sheriff has also said that neighborhood groups own at least 100 readers in the county, meaning the board’s vote does not necessarily address every camera operating locally.

The meeting’s vote adds a county-level decision to a wider debate over the use of automated surveillance: supporters cite its role in investigations, while questions about data access, retention and oversight remain central to public discussion.