Richmond police defend Flock cameras as backlash grows

Local activists want the city to end its contract with Flock Safety, but police say the cameras help solve crimes.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Richmond has become the latest flashpoint in the nationwide backlash against surveillance technology as local activists urge the city to end its contract with Flock Safety. Police Chief Rick Edwards defended the automatic license plate readers and gunshot detectors as critical tools for solving crimes, citing cases involving abductions and homicides. However, opponents remain skeptical, warning that the cameras enable mass surveillance with little oversight.

Why it matters

The debate over the use of Flock cameras in Richmond highlights the ongoing tension between public safety and privacy concerns. While the police argue the cameras are essential for solving crimes, activists fear they could be used for improper purposes, such as immigration enforcement, and that they disproportionately target low-income and minority neighborhoods.

The details

Richmond has deployed 101 Flock cameras, with their locations not made public. Police Chief Rick Edwards acknowledged the privacy concerns, noting that Virginia law bars the cameras from being used outside of state law enforcement agencies and that they collect only license plate numbers and car descriptions, not personal information. However, opponents point to a study that found the Flock cameras in Hampton Roads were more likely to be found in majority-Black or low-income neighborhoods than other neighborhoods. A petition to cancel the city's contract with Flock has more than 1,300 signatures, and other Virginia cities have chosen to drop their contracts with the company due to similar concerns.

  • In 2024, police used Flock cameras to catch suspects within 33 minutes of a killing.
  • In January 2026, Flock cameras were used to arrest a driver who killed a pedestrian in a hit-and-run.

The players

Rick Edwards

The police chief of Richmond, who defended the use of Flock cameras as critical tools for solving crimes.

Richmond Democratic Socialists of America

A local advocacy group that has warned the Flock cameras enable mass surveillance with little oversight.

Juan Braxton

The criminal justice chair of the Richmond NAACP, who said that while no system is perfect, the Flock cameras can be helpful when families are looking for something.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the city to continue using the Flock cameras.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing tension between public safety and privacy concerns when it comes to the use of surveillance technology. While the police argue the Flock cameras are essential for solving crimes, activists fear they could be used for improper purposes and disproportionately target low-income and minority neighborhoods. The outcome of this debate in Richmond could have implications for other cities grappling with similar issues.