Virginia County: Henrico Removes 120 License Plate Readers
Crews took down the devices after the vendor failed to meet removal deadlines following a contract dispute.
By Enzo Conti ·
Henrico County crews dismantled more than 120 automatic license plate reader cameras on Saturday. The removal took place across the Virginia jurisdiction after the private vendor, Flock, failed to complete the work required by the end of the contract.
County Manager John Vithoulkas confirmed the number of units taken down. Officials stated that Flock missed its contractual obligation to remove the hardware within two weeks of the contract termination. Because the vendor did not act, county staff performed the physical removal. The metal poles supporting the cameras remain in place, a task officials assigned to Flock.
The county stopped using the system in October. Police cut ties with the technology by mid-October after consultations with local leaders. The decision followed discussions with residents, law enforcement officers, and data experts who weighed the benefits of the scanners against privacy risks and data access controls.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Rev. Roscoe D. Cooper III described the move as a precautionary step. He noted that there was no evidence Henrico police misused the system. "Rather be proactive than reactive," Cooper said. He added that the board was aware of national and state-level conversations regarding surveillance technology. The leadership felt this was the correct moment to make the change.
The technology has faced public criticism over potential misuse and privacy issues. The county framed the withdrawal as a response to these ongoing debates. The physical infrastructure is now partially removed, leaving the poles while the cameras are off the sites.
Source: KPTV
