The Leon County Commission recently received a detailed status report outlining how local governments and law enforcement agencies are using video surveillance technology across the community, including the growing role of artificial intelligence and privately owned security cameras in criminal investigations.
The commission voted 6 – 0 with Commissioner Welch out of Chambers, to direct the County Attorney to bring back an agenda item which analyzes the Board’s legal purview and oversight options regarding the use of video cameras in public spaces to protect privacy rights and limit the collection of data by third parties.
The May 12 agenda item, requested by commissioners last month, examined the use of public-space cameras by Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Tallahassee, Leon County Schools and the Capital Region Real Time Crime Center.
County staff reported Leon County currently operates approximately 400 closed-circuit cameras at county buildings and parks to support public safety and protect public property. The county budgets about $50,000 annually for camera hardware, maintenance, software and licensing. Officials said the county does not use facial recognition or other artificial intelligence technologies with its existing surveillance systems.
However, the report notes artificial intelligence is becoming more common in traffic enforcement and law enforcement technology. Leon County recently authorized school-zone speed cameras in unincorporated areas and is seeking a vendor to install and operate the automated systems. Officials said AI-assisted speed detection and license plate readers are considered industry standards for accuracy.
The report also detailed the extensive camera networks operated by other agencies. The City of Tallahassee manages approximately 245 traffic cameras through its Regional Traffic Management Center, while Tallahassee Police utilize body cameras, license plate readers, infrared cameras and drones. TPD’s camera operations cost roughly $850,000 annually.
Leon County Schools operates more than 3,000 cameras districtwide, including surveillance cameras on campuses and stop-arm cameras mounted on school buses. The district also uses artificial intelligence software designed to detect visible firearms and alert law enforcement within seconds.
Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Office reported spending about $114,000 annually on video camera systems and related services. LCSO uses AI-supported facial recognition and license plate reader technology tied into the Capital Region Real Time Crime Center, which was established in 2022 through a partnership involving local governments, Florida State University and state law enforcement agencies.
A major focus of the report was Connect Tallahassee, a voluntary program launched in March that allows residents and businesses to share security camera footage with law enforcement. Officials said the system currently includes 172 registered cameras and 215 integrated cameras connected to the crime center.
County officials said the initiative supports the board’s strategic effort to combat graffiti and roadside littering. Through the county’s “Love Leon County… don’t trash it” campaign, officials are encouraging residents to report vandalism and littering incidents while also promoting participation in Connect Tallahassee to expand investigative resources available to law enforcement.
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