Alexandria residents confronted their City Council over the city’s use of Flock automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), raising concerns about privacy and what they described as mass surveillance. Alexandria currently operates 61 Flock license plate readers and cameras along public roads. Residents have called on the city to end its contract with Flock, while some have argued the city should stop using ALPR technology altogether. At a Sept. 8 Council meeting, Mayor Alyia Gaskins said she does not believe Flock has a role in the city, a position two Council members echoed — though no vote was taken, and the city has not announced whether it will terminate the contract or move to a different vendor. Police Chief Tarrick McGuire says the city is in talks with other vendors but has not given a timeline for next steps.
