Florida
Florida Wildlife Commission Under Scrutiny for Monitoring Critics
In his dystopian novel “1984,” George Orwell warned that a dictator would create a surveillance state masked as something beneficial. The hallmark of the evil regime was its slogan: “Big Brother Is Watching You.” These days most people think “Big…
Last updated:
Key points
- FWC has reportedly accessed the driving records of critics, raising privacy concerns.
- Rodney Barreto admits to monitoring activists due to perceived threats.
- Calls for reform are increasing as the agency faces scrutiny for its actions.
NewsWK — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has come under fire for allegedly surveilling its critics, a move that raises concerns about privacy and misuse of authority. Traditional duties of FWC officers usually involve checking on hunters and anglers, but recent reports indicate that they have also been accessing the driving records of activists who oppose their policies, particularly regarding bear hunting.
According to reports from the Orlando Sentinel and the Miami Herald, the FWC has accessed the driving records of more than a dozen environmental critics. This surveillance was reportedly aimed at tracking their travel patterns using Flock cameras placed along highways. One notable target, Katrina Shadix, founder of Bear Warriors United, had her records pulled 17 times between 2023 and 2025, despite no criminal investigation against her.
Rodney Barreto, the FWC’s chair, admitted to accessing these records but characterized the actions as routine checks due to threats received during discussions about bear hunting. However, this rationale has been challenged, as many individuals whose records were accessed had never attended an FWC meeting.
The revelation came to light thanks to filmmaker Brent Fannin, who, after receiving a warning that the FWC was monitoring him, requested his driving records. He discovered that FWC employees had accessed his information multiple times without justification. This prompted him to encourage others to file similar requests, leading to the discovery that 16 activists had also been targeted.
Among those affected were Valerie Anderson, president of the Friends of Split Oak Forest, and Rhonda Roff, leader of the Sierra Club’s Calusa Chapter, both of whom expressed their frustration and concern over FWC’s actions. Anderson remarked, “They’re taking liberties with having law enforcement capabilities,” highlighting the potential abuse of power.
Furthermore, the records accessed are part of the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID), which contains sensitive personal information. This misuse of the database led to previous legal actions against Florida government employees for similar violations, raising questions about the integrity of the FWC and its leadership.
Chuck O’Neal, another outspoken critic of the FWC, stated that being targeted by the agency has become a badge of honor, but he also noted the unnerving implications of such surveillance. He plans to pursue legal action against the FWC for their actions.
As calls for reform grow louder, many activists argue that the FWC needs to be held accountable for its surveillance practices and focus on its core mission of wildlife conservation. Shadix stated, “How can anyone argue the agency doesn’t need reform, when they’re using the levers of government illegally for their own benefit to delve into the personal affairs of the people who oppose them?” The ongoing scrutiny of the FWC underscores the need for transparency and ethical governance within state agencies.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Craig Pittman originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.
