More than 150 law enforcement agencies across Virginia use automated license plate readers – more popularly known under the brand name of Flock Safety. But two cities have now rejected the company’s gunshot detectors, and there’s growing pushback against the license plate readers.
Last year the Virginia State Crime Commission surveyed all Virginia law enforcement agencies on whether they use automated license plate readers, more well-known as Flock cameras, although companies other than Flock Safety also make the devices.
Seventy percent of agencies responded, with nearly two-thirds reporting using license plate readers, mostly Flock. That includes not just cities, but rural communities like Floyd County, home to fewer than 16,000 people…