Carl Gunn, a 77-year-old St. Petersburg resident, used a long pool skimmer and a placard reading "DOWN WITH FLOCK CAMERAS" to block a Flock license-plate camera without damaging it. Video of the protest went viral on X and shows police questioning him for about 15 minutes before leaving. Gunn acted after learning a private company compiles license-plate data into a searchable database, and his peaceful tactic prompted supportive reactions from passersby while renewing privacy concerns about automated plate readers.
77-Year-Old Sits Beside Flock Camera and Uses Sign to Block Its View — Viral Protest in St. Petersburg
[Image Credit: X / @mattvanswol]
A 77-year-old St. Petersburg resident, Carl Gunn, drew online attention for a low-tech, nondestructive protest against Flock surveillance cameras after footage of him went viral on X (formerly Twitter).
In the video, Gunn sits in a folding chair next to a Flock automatic license-plate reader and uses a long pool skimmer with a placard taped to its end that reads "DOWN WITH FLOCK CAMERAS." He positions the sign to block the camera's line of sight rather than damaging the device.
What Happened
The person recording the clip follows events as police officers arrive and question Gunn for roughly 15 minutes before leaving. The videographer can be heard offering to post bail if Gunn were arrested. After the exchange with officers, passersby showed support: a stranger brought Gunn a shade umbrella and a cold soda, drivers honked in approval, and some people handed him snacks.
Why He Acted
Local reporting from Tampa Bay Creative Loafing says Gunn became concerned after learning that Flock, a private company, collects license plate information from passing vehicles and compiles it into a large database. Those records can be compared against hot lists and other law-enforcement databases. Gunn told reporters,
"This is just another thing to take our information and to spy on us. I'm a law-abiding citizen, and I don't need anyone sticking their nose in my business."He said he chose a nondestructive method after seeing others damage cameras.
Context
Flock cameras have been used in St. Petersburg since 2022, with roughly 50 units installed around the city, according to Fox 13. Police officials say the automatic license-plate readers help law enforcement quickly compare plates against national hot lists. The viral clip has reignited debate about privacy, private-company-operated surveillance, and the deployment of automated plate-reading systems in public spaces.
Note: All reported details are based on videos circulating on social media and local reporting by Tampa Bay Creative Loafing and Fox 13.
Help us improve.
