New lawsuit challenges whether Flock cameras in Norfolk are constitutional

A newly-filed federal lawsuit argues Flock cameras in the city of Norfolk are unconstitutional.

The lawsuit was filed by a law firm called the Institute of Justice on behalf of Lee Schmidt, a resident of Norfolk, and Crystal Arrington, a Portsmouth resident.

The suit says the cameras are violating their Fourth Amendment rights, which protect against unreasonable searches.

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The cameras take photos of license plates as cars drive by them.

There are 172 of the automatic license plate readers around the city. They’re located in other cities as well, but the lawsuit only names the city and police department as defendants.

The attorneys want the police department to stop operating the cameras.

“There is an expectation of privacy in the whole of your movements,” said Michael Soyfer, an attorney with the Institute for Justice.

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