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ALPR Surveillance by State

Flock & ALPR Cameras in Virginia

At least 3,435 automated license plate readers have been reported across Virginia — the 14th most-surveilled state in the country by camera count.

Updated Oct 6, 2026 · Live data

3,435 automated license plate readers have been reported in Virginia as of October 6, 2026, ranking it #14 of 52 states and territories. They are documented in 307 cities and towns across 119 counties. 92 percent are Flock Safety cameras.

393 cameras were added to the Virginia map in the last 30 days and 114 were removed. The most recent camera was reported on September 11, 2026. Norfolk (237) has the most, followed by Portsmouth Heights (153) and Chesapeake (150).

102 operators are named in the records, including Norfolk Police Department, Hampton Police Division, Lowe's. Source: community-mapped camera data (OpenStreetMap, ODbL) with DeFlock The USA’s permanent history.

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3,435
Reported cameras
#14
of 52 · most surveilled
2.4%
of all mapped U.S. cameras

Every one of those 3,435 cameras photographs the plate of each car that passes it — logging where Virginia 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.

Live camera map 3,435 reported cameras around Virginia
Every dot is a volunteer-reported license plate reader · map data curated by the DeFlock project · refreshed daily Open the full map →
Camera Watch Recently reported near Virginia
+38 this week +169 last 30 days −57 removed
  • Oct 6 Axis Communications camera newly reported
  • Oct 6 Flock Safety camera newly reported
  • Oct 5 Axon Enterprise camera newly reported
  • Oct 5 Axon Enterprise camera newly reported

Newly reported by volunteers — cameras may have been up long before someone mapped them.

We broadcast this

📷 14 new license plate readers just reported around Winchester, VA. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #Winchester

📷 9 new license plate readers just reported around Suffolk, VA. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #Suffolk

📷 6 new license plate readers just reported around Arlington, VA. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #Arlington

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 Virginia, that’s 3,435 points quietly building a record of residents’ movements. See how the tech works and where your data goes.

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks #14 of 52 states and territories by reported ALPR cameras — part of a fast-growing national footprint. Nationwide, volunteers have mapped over 142,000 cameras and counting. Nearby by camera count: Alabama (2,906), Colorado (2,727), Missouri (3,441), Tennessee (3,644).

The latest from Virginia

On camera in Virginia — each opens right here on DeFlock:

The conversation about Virginia:

FlockWatch@flockwatch.bsky.socialBluesky📍 Henrico County, Virginia: ended its Flock camera contract. Headline: “BREAKING: Henrico cancels Flock Safety contract” Source: henricocitizen.com, 10/06 That's the 34th place in our ledger to end or pause Flock cameras in the last 30 days. #Flock…5 hours ago★ Our signalDeFlock The USA@deflocktheusa.bsky.socialBluesky📷 14 new license plate readers just reported around Winchester, VA. Newly mapped by volunteers — see what's watching. #ALPR #Surveillance #Winchester2 days agoThe Crows Nest Report@crowsnestMastodonMontgomery County, Virginia Sheriff Robert Page terminated his office's Flock Safety license plate reader program; use was suspended for review on Sept. 3. WDBJ7 https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/10/01/montgomery-county-will-discontinue-use-flock-cameras/4 days agoMgindmv@mgindmv.bsky.socialBlueskyFairfax Co. TONIGHT! Pack the room in support of our speakers 💜wear purple💜 if you can to support our SEIU union friends! Join us tonight as we fight to abolish ALPRs in Ffx Co. Show up & let…1 week agoFlockWatch@flockwatch.bsky.socialBluesky📍 Augusta County, Virginia: ended its Flock camera contract. Headline: “Augusta County removes Flock Safety cameras” Source: newsleader.com, 09/28 #surveillance #Virginia1 week agoActivate Virginia@activateva.bsky.socialBluesky"A VCIJ analysis of Flock Safety logs found that data from Bridgewater’s commuters was searched millions of times by law enforcement across the country. A year later, town leaders voted to dump the AI-powered surveillance network."1 week ago

All surveillance news →  ·  All video & feeds →

What you can do in Virginia

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.

Local chapter

DeFlock Norfolk — Norfolk, Virginia

Organizing in the city where a judge called warrantless Flock tracking a Fourth Amendment search — ground zero of the federal lawsuit.

Join the fight ↗
Local chapter

DeFlock Chesterfield — Chesterfield, Virginia

Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).

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Local chapter

DeFlock Fairfax — Fairfax, Virginia

Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).

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Local chapter

DeFlock Harrisonburg — Harrisonburg, Virginia

Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).

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Local chapter

DeFlock Loudoun — Loudoun County, Virginia

Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).

Join the fight ↗
Local chapter

DeFlock Williamsburg — Williamsburg, Virginia

Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).

Join the fight ↗
Local chapter

DeFlock the Valley — Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).

Join the fight ↗
Local chapter

Live Free VA — Staunton, Virginia

Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).

Join the fight ↗
Local chapter

Richmond DSA — Richmond, Virginia

Independently run local group listed on the DeFlock project directory (deflock.org).

Join the fight ↗
Local chapter

DeFlock Alexandria — Alexandria, Virginia

Resident group organizing against Flock cameras in Alexandria, Virginia. Updates on Instagram.

Join the fight ↗
Local chapter

DeFlock Roanoke — Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke residents organizing against Flock license-plate readers.

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Local chapter

DeFlock Suffolk — Suffolk, Virginia

Independent, resident-run project tracking Flock license-plate reader cameras in Suffolk, Virginia.

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Flock & ALPR cameras by city in Virginia

We track 309 Virginia cities and towns with reported cameras — each with its own local report:

Flock & ALPR cameras by county in Virginia

119 Virginia counties have at least one reported camera. Tap any county for its full local report.

Fairfax County339Virginia Beach city252Norfolk city242Hampton city186Henrico County155Richmond city146Chesterfield County144Suffolk city142Portsmouth city121Newport News city108Chesapeake city102Prince William County92Arlington County85Loudoun County56Shenandoah County49Montgomery County45Fairfax city38Williamsburg city38York County38Prince George County37Rockingham County37Roanoke city34Northampton County33Accomack County32James City County32Isle of Wight County30Winchester city27Augusta County26Franklin County24Roanoke County23Alexandria city22Rockbridge County22Spotsylvania County22Mecklenburg County21Emporia city20Tazewell County20Gloucester County19Lynchburg city19Bedford County18Danville city18Martinsville city18Stafford County18Botetourt County17Greensville County16Henry County16Pulaski County16Wise County16Culpeper County15Fauquier County15New Kent County15Carroll County14Page County14Powhatan County14Warren County14Wythe County14Fredericksburg city13Pittsylvania County13Franklin city12Hopewell city12Orange County12Albemarle County11Dinwiddie County11Frederick County11Hanover County11Brunswick County10Campbell County10Galax city10Goochland County10Greene County10Giles County9King George County9Nottoway County9Prince Edward County9Smyth County9Bristol city8Colonial Heights city8Halifax County8Amherst County7Lunenburg County7Southampton County7Sussex County7Buchanan County6Caroline County6Madison County6Petersburg city6Buckingham County5Cumberland County5King William County5King and Queen County5Louisa County5Manassas Park city5Westmoreland County5Essex County4Floyd County4Harrisonburg city4Lee County4Radford city4Rappahannock County4Richmond County4Scott County4Washington County4Amelia County3Appomattox County3Charles City County3Grayson County3Manassas city3Mathews County3Poquoson city3Russell County3Salem city3Staunton city3Bedford city2Bland County2Charlotte County2Clarke County2Dickenson County2Nelson County2Surry County2Waynesboro city2

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.

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