Protests Erupt Over Flock Safety Surveillance in Virginia and Michigan

Protests against the use of Flock Safety automatic license plate readers (ALPR) escalated across Virginia and Michigan in August 2026. In Roanoke, Virginia, residents and members of Roanoke Indivisible held a community meeting and a subsequent rally at City Hall to demand the removal of 24 cameras. Protesters characterized the AI-powered system as a warrantless search implemented without public input. While Roanoke Police Chief Scott Booth defended the technology as a vital tool for solving homicides and robberies, Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis suspended his office's access to the cameras while considering early contract termination.

Simultaneously, the Southwest Michigan Democratic Socialists of America organized a "Get the Flock Out of Kalamazoo" rally outside Kalamazoo City Hall. Organizers cited Freedom of Information Act requests showing over 100,000 searches by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety between January and July, alleging that 90% of those searches lacked attached case numbers.

In response to growing criticism, Flock Safety announced plans to mandate case numbers for searches and reduce data retention from 30 days to seven. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety stated it is currently evaluating these new safeguards. In Roanoke, the city continues to operate its camera network despite calls for termination, following its June decision to remove gunshot detection devices.