Flock & ALPR Cameras in District of Columbia
At least 153 automated license plate readers have been reported across District of Columbia — the 45th most-surveilled state in the country by camera count.
Updated Oct 6, 2026 · Live data
153 automated license plate readers have been reported in District of Columbia as of October 6, 2026, ranking it #45 of 52 states and territories. They are documented in 38 cities and towns across 1 county. 87 percent are Flock Safety cameras.
12 cameras were added to the District of Columbia map in the last 30 days and 1 was removed. The most recent camera was reported on September 11, 2026. The Wharf (23) has the most, followed by Bellevue (10) and Adams Morgan (9).
5 operators are named in the records, including Metro Police Department, The Home Depot, DC Metropolitan Police Department. Source: community-mapped camera data (OpenStreetMap, ODbL) with DeFlock The USA’s permanent history.
Need this state’s camera data for your work?
We provide free custom extracts of everything we track: camera locations, brands, operators, dates, agencies, council agendas, and news coverage, for researchers, journalists, students, and advocates. Tell us the geography, time window, and format you need, and we’ll pull it for you. No charge, no strings.
Every one of those 153 cameras photographs the plate of each car that passes it — logging where District of Columbia drivers go, when, and how often, whether or not anyone is suspected of a crime. Here’s what that means, and what you can do about it.
- Sep 27 Leonardo camera newly reported
- Sep 27 Flock Safety camera newly reported
- Sep 27 Flock Safety camera newly reported
- Sep 11 Axis Communications camera newly reported
Newly reported by volunteers — cameras may have been up long before someone mapped them.
What these cameras actually do
Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) like those sold by Flock Safety aren’t normal traffic cameras. Each one reads every passing plate, stamps it with a time and location, and stores it in a searchable database — often shared across agencies. Across District of Columbia, that’s 153 points quietly building a record of residents’ movements. See how the tech works and where your data goes.
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks #45 of 52 states and territories by reported ALPR cameras — part of a fast-growing national footprint. Nationwide, volunteers have mapped over 143,000 cameras and counting. Nearby by camera count: Montana (87), South Dakota (187), Wyoming (72), Puerto Rico (212).
The latest from District of Columbia
On camera in District of Columbia — each opens right here on DeFlock:
All surveillance news → · All video & feeds →
What you can do in District of Columbia
You don’t have to accept it — and you don’t have to be anti-safety to demand accountability. File a public records request to learn your town’s retention and data-sharing policy, speak up at a city-council meeting, and see the full playbook on our Take Action page.
Not sure what one looks like? See photographs of installed cameras before you go looking.
DeFlock D.C. — Washington, District Of Columbia
Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).
Join the fight ↗Flock & ALPR cameras by city in District of Columbia
We track 38 District of Columbia cities and towns with reported cameras — each with its own local report:
Flock & ALPR cameras by county in District of Columbia
1 District of Columbia counties have at least one reported camera. Tap any county for its full local report.
Counts come from the open-source DeFlock project’s volunteer reports and update as new cameras are mapped. A county not listed has no reported cameras yet — not necessarily none. Spot one? Report it.