Loudoun County drivers should be aware that local law enforcement agencies, including the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) and Leesburg Police Department (LPD), plan no changes to their use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). This decision comes even as nearby jurisdictions like Arlington and Fairfax counties have moved to restrict or end the use of similar technology. Loudoun Now reported on this development Loudoun Now reported.
For drivers, this means ALPRs will continue to scan and store vehicle data within Loudoun County, potentially for up to 21 days as permitted by state law. These systems alert officers to vehicles linked to missing persons, wanted individuals, or stolen cars, and detectives can use the stored data in investigations. To see where these cameras might be present, drivers can check our interactive map at /map.
What ALPRs are used for in Loudoun County?
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office currently uses a significant number of ALPRs:
- 44 cameras on patrol cars
- 18 cameras on mobile trailers
- 4 mobile Flock cameras
The Leesburg Police Department operates four cameras. Unlike some other jurisdictions, LCSO does not use fixed ALPR cameras.
According to LCSO Media Relations Director Tom Julia, the technology has been in use since 2009. Both Julia and LPD spokesperson Michele Bowman stated they are not aware of any misuse of these cameras by agency personnel. Virginia state law dictates strict guidelines for ALPR use, and Loudoun County agencies assert their operations comply with these regulations. A new state law also limits data sharing to in-state departments only, a change from past practices that allowed sharing with federal agencies.
How have ALPRs been used in recent cases?
Loudoun County law enforcement provided several examples of how ALPRs have assisted in investigations:
- July 14: An alert from a camera led to the arrest of a suspect wanted for indecent exposure.
- May 17: A vehicle connected to a suspect wanted for felony malicious wounding was located and the individual arrested.
- April 18: ALPR data helped locate a missing woman in Fairfax County after her vehicle was spotted in Fauquier County.
- April 16: Data was shared with Virginia State Police to help search for a person with Alzheimer's.
- December 2025: A runaway teen was found in Delaware after an ALPR camera captured her license plate, leading officers to her location.
Leesburg Police stated they will continue to monitor developments around ALPR technology. They ensure its use follows Virginia law, department policy, and established law enforcement purposes. Drivers interested in understanding the broader context of ALPR technology can find more information at /learn.