Jerome County Sheriff Gary Taylor has decided against renewing the county’s contract with Flock Safety, redirecting the $24,000 in annual licensing fees toward deputy salaries instead, according to eastidahonews.com. The move ends the county’s use of eight automated license plate reader cameras.

Fallout From a Predecessor’s Misconduct

Taylor cited both legal concerns and staffing needs when presenting the decision to county commissioners. The choice comes in the shadow of former Sheriff George Oppedyke, who resigned in 2025 after conducting thousands of illegal Flock searches — a scandal that damaged public trust in the program even though no organized opposition campaign pushed for its cancellation.

“With the public perception, what had happened in our own agency in the past, I just don’t feel that I’m gonna renew it for this upcoming year, fiscal year,” Taylor told eastidahonews.com.

A Call for Clearer State Rules

Taylor said Idaho’s current statutes governing license plate reader misuse lack meaningful enforcement mechanisms. He expressed hope that the Idaho Legislature will establish clearer standards and stronger penalties, noting that many other states attach criminal penalties to such violations. “Idaho’s right now is very vague,” he said.

The redeployed funds will go toward deputy compensation as the department works to address staffing needs.