Editor’s note: Henrico County cancelled its contract with Flock Safety during the writing of this story. Four days later, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula announced that the city would not renew its contract with Flock next July. Henrico’s Flock cameras were ordered to be removed within two weeks of the cancellation and Richmond’s will remain active until the contract ends. Henrico and Richmond have not announced if either will sign with a different public safety technology company.
When the Collegian asked Virginia Commonwealth University student Isaiah Ansu-Anin how he feels about Flock cameras, he said: “Aren’t they supposed to track, like, the birds?”
The Collegian interviewed 60 Henrico and Richmond residents, most of whom were ambivalent about the presence of Flock cameras in their community. Their responses shifted between supporting the installation and feeling apprehensive about surveillance…