Flock Camera Review
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula announces review of Flock safety camera contracts amid privacy concerns.
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Key Points
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Mayor Danny Avula said Richmond will advocate for community privacy protections during the next Virginia General Assembly session.
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Avula said the city’s decision to use ALPR technology was based on his belief that its public-safety benefits outweigh its risks, but emphasized that the issue is “not a closed issue” and that he remains open to residents’ views.
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A Kentucky police officer was arrested after allegedly using Flock cameras to track his ex-girlfriend more than 2,000 times, a case Richmond residents cited as evidence of potential law-enforcement misuse.
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Richmond police have credited Flock technology with helping identify the suspect accused of hitting and killing Hope Cartwright, an editor of Virginia Living magazine.
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The city is considering whether an independent third party should review Richmond’s ALPR policies and procedures, not merely whether internal oversight should be changed.
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula announced the city will reevaluate its contract with Flock Safety, the automatic license plate reader company, following growing public concern about surveillance and law-enforcement misuse. The decision comes as at least 20 Virginia localities have abandoned the technology, citing privacy risks NBC Bay Area. The city operates 99 cameras and will reduce police data retention from 21 days to seven days while reviewing alternative vendors and seeking resident feedback.
A Kentucky Officer's Illegal Tracking Sparked National Outcry
The turning point came when a Kentucky police officer was arrested for using Flock cameras to track his ex-girlfriend more than 2,000 times, Yahoo News reported. Richmond residents cited this case as proof that law enforcement can misuse the technology despite safeguards. The incident fueled demands for stronger oversight and transparency policies in how police departments access and use license plate data.
Police Chief Defends Flock's Role in Solving Serious Crimes
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards strongly supports the cameras, saying they help investigators solve homicides, abductions, and hit-and-run cases more quickly. The technology helped identify the suspect in the hit-and-run death of Hope Cartwright, editor of Virginia Living magazine. Edwards told the City Council: "I can tell you, as the police chief of this city, it works." He credits Flock with solving multiple murders within hours.
Mayor Signals Openness to Community Concerns
Mayor Avula said he still believes Flock's public-safety benefits outweigh its risks, but emphasized that the issue "is not a closed issue." He committed to advocating for community privacy protections during the next Virginia General Assembly session. The city will consider whether an independent third party should audit Richmond's ALPR policies and procedures, not just rely on internal oversight review.
Virginia Localities Flee Flock Over Privacy Fears
Neighboring Goochland County suspended its Flock system after national security concerns emerged. At least 20 Virginia localities have indicated they will stop using the technology Boston 25 News. Cities like Lowell voted to suspend Flock cameras due to privacy concerns Yahoo News, and the Horace City Council removed the cameras following debates over oversight WDAY Radio Now. Despite these exits, some nearby counties continue operating active contracts.
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