Jennifer McClellan wants public review before Flock-type systems
Jennifer McClellanU.S. representative (D) for Virginia's 4th District, running for reelection
Rep. Jennifer McClellan said technology like Flock can be a useful tool in legitimate investigations but should be carefully reviewed, with significant public input, before implementation, and that any use must follow the Fourth Amendment.
“As a policy maker, I strive to keep communities safe without violating the civil rights and liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution. While technology can be a useful tool in legitimate law enforcement investigations, including counterterrorism and human trafficking, technologies like Flock collect significant amounts of information and should be carefully reviewed, with significant public input, before implementation. Any use of these types of technologies must adhere to our constitutional principles and protections, including the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.”
Interview
Where this statement fits
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Networked automated license-plate readers record passing vehicles and let agencies search or share travel records across locations. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to prohibit these networks, keep them with legal limits, or defend their use for investigations. This tracker records attributable positions on that choice, including proposals that would affect only public funding or data access.
Source and context
Interview
About this source
VPM News candidate questionnaire for Virginia's 4th Congressional District, published Sept. 18, 2026, with answers lightly edited for style and clarity.
Before the quotation
Virginia public media stations asked congressional candidates for their stance on Flock and other automatic license plate readers in their districts. The answers were lightly edited for style and clarity.
After the quotation
She added that as a state legislator she supported legislation on retaining surveillance video, and that Virginia law now requires license plate reader data to be destroyed after 21 days, with exceptions.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. McClellan calls the technology a useful investigative tool but says systems like Flock should be carefully reviewed with significant public input before implementation and must respect the Fourth Amendment. That is acceptance subject to review and constitutional limits, which fits Mixed or conditional.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Flock Safety
More from this case
Read the full caseJacob Burnett says Flock-style cameras should be done away with, with warrants required if they stay
“The systems themselves can be modified to prevent nearly all abuse and be made more secure by requiring warrants for access or follow through on any data the systems collect and have all data stored on the hardware itself preventing viewing from remote locations, requiring strict login credentials and a connecting warrant number to access. These are common sense changes that if the systems are to be used I feel could correct a lot of abuse or privacy concerns but I also feel the systems should be done away with overall, especially in the realm of predictive crime analytics.”Read statement
Dean Brewer, an independent candidate for Tennessee governor, says Flock cameras should be banned
“I believe flock cameras should be banned.”Read statement
Buddy Carter says license plate cameras help investigators but need privacy safeguards
“Technologies like license plate recognition cameras can provide valuable investigative tools, but they have also raised important questions about privacy and government oversight. As these systems become more common, it is important to balance public safety with appropriate safeguards that protect individual privacy.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Jennifer McClellan wants public review before Flock-type systems". First published: 2026-09-29. Last updated: 2026-09-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/3181-rep-jennifer-mcclellan-said-technology-like-flock-can