Richmond to End Contract for Automatic License Plate Readers

Richmond Petersburg, VA, October 10, 2026 —

Richmond Mayor Danny Avula has announced that the city will not renew its contract with Flock Safety for the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). The current agreement is set to conclude in July of next year.

The decision to discontinue the service was reportedly influenced by actions taken by a neighboring jurisdiction and growing public discourse around the technology. Henrico County has also recently ended its own contract with Flock Safety.

A significant factor cited for Richmond’s decision includes public concerns related to the privacy implications of automatic license plate reader technology. The specific details of these public concerns were not provided.

Flock Safety provides ALPR cameras that capture license plate data, which law enforcement agencies can use for investigations. The company states its technology helps solve crimes and locate missing persons. However, the use of such surveillance technology has drawn scrutiny from civil liberties advocates and the public over potential privacy infringements.

Mayor Avula’s announcement indicates a shift in the city’s approach to utilizing such surveillance tools. The contract’s expiration in July marks the end of the current operational period for these devices within the city. Further details regarding any transitional plans or the specific timeline for the removal or deactivation of the equipment were not immediately available.

Story summarized from the original created by Dean Mirshahi on www.vpm.org, see more information here.