Avula calls for review of Flock Safety contract in Instagram video – VPM

Published September 21, 2026 at 4:53 PM EDT Amid a swell of public backlash against Flock Safety cameras, Mayor Danny Avula has directed Richmond police to purge their license plate reader data every week instead of every 21 days.  The retention policy change is one of four actions Avula announced Saturday in an Instagram video where he said Richmond would review its deal with Flock, which police told VPM News runs until June 30, 2027. “I think that the shift in public sentiment around Flock, which has been particularly acute in the last couple of months, is a sign that we need to reevaluate our relationship with Flock,” Avula said in the video.  Flock’s automatic license plate readers have faced intense criticism nationally over privacy concerns. There have been reports of officers accessing data from the devices to stalk their ex-romantic partners.  In Richmond, residents have spoken out at City Council meetings about the city’s system of 99 Flock ALPRs and protested outside City Hall against the use of the devices.  Unlike at least 20 other Virginia localities , Richmond hasn’t ended or paused its contract with Flock. Avula said Richmond chooses to use Flock cameras because he believes the public
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