Longboat Key Letters to the Editor week of September 4, 2026

Lawyering Up Over License Plates

To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin

Thank you, Commissioner Coffin, yes, we became aware yesterday afternoon and are working on it. We will be meeting with our attorney’s office this week as well as contingency planning, as needed. Please see attached.

Isaac Brownman

Assistant Town Manager

Town of Longboat Key

Forwarding the Neighborhood Panic

To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton

I received this last night from a concerned homeowner.

Gary Coffin

Commissioner

Town of Longboat Key

Moving the Cameras Just an Inch to the Left

To: Longboat Key Commission

While the state and their respective agencies continue to make broad, sweeping decisions without consideration for those local communities properly using things like this technology, the town staff is working on scheduling a meeting with our town legal counsel to discuss, and we are also contingency planning potential locations just outside state right-of-way, where feasible. We received notification yesterday afternoon, not from FDOT just yet, but from the Florida Police Chiefs Association to Chief Mager. As this is still developing, we will keep you posted as any additional decisions on our part or developments as this makes its way throughout the state.

Isaac Brownman

Assistant Town Manager

Town of Longboat Key

The State is Plucking Our FLOCK

To: Longboat Key Commission

This story broke this morning. Without our flock cameras on the north and south end we would not have promptly caught the murderers from the Zota case.

Florida is revoking permits for Flock cameras and similar license-plate readers on state roads, dealing a blow to local law enforcement agencies that say they’re a critical crime-fighting tool.

In a memorandum Monday, Florida Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Will Watts gave agencies 30 days to remove the cameras from state roads, or FDOT will remove them itself. The agency also no longer intends to issue permits for the cameras.

“The recent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways, coupled with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns and surveillance schemes merit immediate action to preserve Floridians’ sovereignty and quality of life,” the memo states.

BJ Bishop

Commissioner

Town of Longboat Key

Dropping Our Two Cents on Sarasota Traffic

To: Longboat Key Commission

For your information, attached you will find a letter from Allen Parsons that provides feedback to both the City of Sarasota and the Florida Department of Commerce regarding the proposed transportation amendments to their comprehensive plan that was transmitted by the City for expedited state review. Please let either Isaac or I know if you have any questions.

Howard N. Tipton

Town Manager

Town of Longboat Key

Playing Nice With the Neighbors

To: Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling

Please see the below input from the Town of Longboat Key per the City’s proposed updates to the Comprehensive Plan’s Transportation Chapter.

Thank you Commissioner Bishop, Mr. Parsons, and Mr. Tipton for your input. It is crucial that our municipalities continue to work together and coordinate transportation policies and plans in this, and many other arenas.

Jen Ahearn-Koch

City Commissioner

City of Sarasota

ICYMI: We Have Thoughts on Sarasota Traffic

To: Longboat Key Commission

For your information, attached you will find a letter from Allen Parsons that provides feedback to both the City of Sarasota and the Florida Department of Commerce regarding the proposed transportation amendments to their comprehensive plan that was transmitted by the City for expedited state review. Please let either Isaac or I know if you have any questions.

Howard N. Tipton

Town Manager

Town of Longboat Key

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