Documented Incident
Sumter County sheriff suspends ALPR program after detective charged with misusing Flock data
Event: July 24, 2026 · First reported: July 25, 2026 · 1 source
Sumter County Sheriff Patrick Breeden said he is suspending use of automated license plate readers while his agency audits the system, following the firing and arrest of Detective Brandy Almany. Breeden said Almany is accused of using Flock cameras and other law enforcement databases to stalk her husband's ex-wife; the allegations have not been resolved in court. The sheriff's office has not said whether or when the cameras will return to service.
An agency pausing an entire surveillance program after a single alleged abuse case is an unusual step, and the audit's findings could shape how neighboring Florida counties handle access controls and oversight of ALPR databases.
Key facts
- Sumter County Sheriff Patrick Breeden announced a suspension of ALPR use pending an internal audit.
- Detective Brandy Almany was fired and criminally charged over alleged personal use of Flock cameras and other databases; charges are allegations, not findings.
- Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson raised privacy concerns at a July 15 budget meeting; Sheriff John Mina said the technology points investigators in a direction but does not establish probable cause.
- Volusia County reported six Flock cameras vandalized with no arrests, including one cut from a pole in Bill Keller Park on July 20.
- Flock Safety told FOX 35 it retains data for 30 days and encrypts it; the company's site does not address whether stationary cameras are considered surveillance tools.
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Sumter County suspends license plate reader program after detective accused of misuse (fox35orlando.com, July 25, 2026)
More from Florida
Everything we have documented in Florida, or search every Florida article in the archive.
About this record
BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.
Updated August 11, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.