Danny Avula
Role at the time: Richmond mayor
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Avula said Richmond should keep using license-plate readers for now while reviewing Flock and strengthening privacy protections.
“I believe the benefits to public safety outweigh the risks it poses to our community”
Read the official statement (opens in a new tab)Mayor Danny Avula: Full text of September 19 ALPR statementFull September 19 statement
Avula states his support for continued ALPR use with shorter retention and a review of Richmond's Flock contract.
Why we used this label
He expressly defends the technology's current use despite acknowledged risks.