Palm Bay city officials announced Monday they are reactivating the Flock traffic surveillance system, which was removed in 2021 after public opposition. The system uses license plate recognition technology to monitor speeding and other violations on city roads. City Manager Mark Smith confirmed the decision during a council meeting, citing a 35% increase in traffic violations since the system's removal. The Flock system had been installed in 2019 but was shut down in early 2021 following protests from residents who argued it violated privacy rights. Critics at the time said the system's data collection practices were not transparent. The city says the system will now operate with updated privacy safeguards, including stricter data retention policies. A notice posted on the city website says all footage will be deleted after 30 days unless it's needed for an active investigation. The decision comes as the city faces growing concerns about speeding in residential areas. Police Chief Laura Gonzalez said the department received 220 complaints about reckless driving in the past year. Some residents expressed support for the system's return. Sarah Thompson, a mother of two young children, said she wants more eyes on the roads. 'I just want my kids to be safe,' she said. Others remain skeptical, however, with privacy advocates warning about potential misuse of the data. The city council is scheduled to review the program's performance in six months.