GoKawiilOviedo, Florida police charge man with felonies for destroying a fake Flock decoy camera
Police in Oviedo, Florida arrested 24-year-old Evan Meyer and charged him with three felonies after he destroyed what he believed was a real Flock surveillance camera. In reality, the camera was a 3D-printed decoy set up as part of a sting operation targeting people who vandalize the AI-powered license plate readers. Mayor Megan Sladek said she was unaware of the decoy operation and acknowledged the charges are controversial, especially as the city council is weighing whether to end its Flock contract.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The case highlights growing public backlash against Flock's license plate tracking systems, which have been misused by officers to stalk people and raise broader surveillance concerns. Charging someone with felony-level damage over a device that wasn't actually harmed—and was far cheaper than claimed—raises questions about whether law enforcement is overstating losses to deter dissent rather than protect real property. It also reveals friction between police tactics and city leadership, since the mayor wasn't informed before the arrest occurred.
- Evan Meyer was charged with three felonies for destroying a decoy Flock camera, not a real one.
- Police claimed damages tied to a $5,000 estimate, though real Flock cameras cost about $800.
- Oviedo's mayor was unaware of the sting and the city council is reconsidering its Flock contract amid wider backlash.
Source: techspot.com — Daniel Sims, 2026-08-26
Published there as: “Florida police used a fake Flock camera in a sting, then charged a man with three felonies for destroying it”
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