Richmond, Virginia, will not renew its contract with Flock Safety for automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) when it expires in July 2027. Mayor Danny Avula made the announcement on Saturday, October 10, 2026, according to VPM reported. The decision follows Henrico County's earlier move to terminate its Flock Safety contract a month early.
Avula stated that the effectiveness of Flock Safety cameras for Richmond is reduced without Henrico County's participation. He noted that crime crosses city and county lines, and regional collaboration is key to the technology's utility. Richmond currently operates 99 Flock ALPRs.
Why is Richmond ending its Flock Safety contract?
The primary reason cited for Richmond's decision is Henrico County's termination of its own Flock Safety contract. Mayor Avula explained that the technology becomes "less useful as a tool" for crime solving when neighboring jurisdictions are not linked into the same system. This regional aspect was previously seen as a benefit.
Richmond's reevaluation of its Flock Safety deal began in September 2026, amid growing public concern. Residents have voiced privacy worries at City Council meetings and protested the use of ALPRs outside City Hall. Concerns about misuse of ALPR data have also surfaced, including reports of officers accessing data to track individuals and a Chesterfield County police employee being charged with improper access earlier in October 2026.
What does this mean for drivers in Richmond?
For drivers in Richmond, this means that the city's current network of 99 Flock ALPRs will be deactivated when the contract concludes on June 30, 2027. After this date, your vehicle's license plate will no longer be routinely scanned and recorded by Flock Safety cameras within Richmond city limits. This decision could reduce the overall density of ALPRs in the greater Richmond area, especially following Henrico County's contract termination.
Drivers interested in understanding how ALPRs work and what data they collect can visit our /learn section. To see current camera locations and how they might affect your travel, check the /map.
What's next for ALPR policy in Virginia?
Virginia legislators are considering various approaches to ALPR technology in the upcoming 2027 session. Some lawmakers plan to propose legislation to ban license plate readers entirely, while others seek stricter regulations and penalties for misuse by law enforcement. Governor Abigail Spanberger has described calls for a statewide ban as "overly simplistic."
Mayor Avula indicated that the General Assembly's actions will help guide future decisions for Richmond and other localities across the commonwealth regarding ALPR use. He also affirmed his commitment to continue listening to resident feedback on license plate readers. The current contract runs until June 30, 2027, at which point the cameras are scheduled for removal.