Macy says Virginia communities should not use Flock cameras
Beth MacyDemocratic candidate for U.S. House, Virginia 6th District
Beth Macy said Virginia communities should not use Flock cameras or keep the personal data they record, citing inappropriate use and installation in many localities.
“I support law enforcement’s efforts to stop crimes and solve the ones that have been committed. Technology is a tool that police can effectively use to protect the public. However, it’s obvious that Flock readers have been inappropriately used or installed in many Virginia localities. I believe that Virginia communities should not use Flock cameras or keep personal data that they record. Safety is paramount, as is our liberty as a free people.”
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
Candidate survey published by Virginia's public media stations (VPM, WAMU, WHRO, WMRA and Radio IQ).
Before the quotation
Virginia's public media stations asked 6th District candidates for their stance on Flock and other automatic license-plate readers. Rep. Ben Cline did not respond to the survey, and the outlets summarized his earlier call for Virginia localities to stop using Flock.
After the quotation
Macy's answer was the last response to the question. Cline did not fill out the questionnaire, so the outlets summarized his public statements instead.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether Flock-style license-plate camera networks should exist and be used. Macy acknowledges police technology can protect the public but says Virginia communities should not use Flock cameras or keep the data they record. A statement that communities should not use the cameras is Condemned.
- 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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- Macy says Virginia communities should not use Flock cameras
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The Dispute Index. "Macy says Virginia communities should not use Flock cameras". First published: 2026-09-29. Last updated: 2026-09-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/3194-beth-macy-said-virginia-communities-should-not-use