You Are Being
Tracked.
Flock Safety ALPR cameras are monitoring every vehicle that enters, exits, and travels through Bedford, Virginia. No consent. No public vote. No transparency.
What Are Flock / ALPR Cameras?
Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR)systems are surveillance cameras that photograph every passing vehicle, capture the license plate, and log the time, date, location, and vehicle description.
Flock Safety is the dominant vendor. Their cameras are mounted on poles, traffic lights, and patrol cars across the country including right here in Bedford, Virginia. The Bedford Police Department and the Bedford County Sheriff's Office both operate Flock systems.
According to Bedford Police Chief Jim Moore, the department deployed ALPR systems to identify criminals traveling to Bedford from surrounding areas. But the technology doesn't just capture criminals, it captures every single vehicle that passes by, regardless of whether its driver is suspected of anything.
Bedford has 9 Flock cameras covering the area, with data shared across a statewide network of agencies: from local police to the Virginia State Police and Department of Corrections.
- ▸License plate number
- ▸Vehicle make, model, and color
- ▸Photo of the vehicle
- ▸Date and time of capture
- ▸GPS location of camera
- ▸Direction of travel
- ▸Bedford Police Department
- ▸Bedford County Sheriff's Office
- ▸Virginia State Police
- ▸Dept. of Corrections
- ▸Dept. of Wildlife
- ▸Other VA municipal/county agencies in the Flock network
Data is stored for 30 days before deletion unless it becomes part of an active criminal case, in which case it is retained for the duration of the investigation.
Tracking Without Your Consent
No Warning Signs
There are no signs at the Bedford town limits telling you that cameras are logging your plate. No notifications on your phone. No opt-out form. You drive through, and your movements are recorded silently.
Everyone Is a Target
ALPRs don't distinguish between suspects and ordinary citizens. Every parent driving to school, every worker commuting, every family heading to dinner all their movements are logged and stored in a database, just like a suspect's.
No Public Vote
The Bedford Police Department purchased Flock systems as part of their internal budget. There was no public referendum, no town hall debate, and no opportunity for residents to weigh in on whether they wanted mass surveillance in their community.
What Happens When You Drive Through Bedford
Flock camera captures your plate, vehicle description, and timestamp as you cross into Bedford on US-460.
Your plate is queried against hotlists. Stolen vehicles, wanted persons, AMBER alerts all within seconds.
Your plate data is stored for 30 days and shared with other agencies across Virginia through the Flock network.
Any officer with a case number can search the database for your plate. Creating a retroactive travel history of everywhere you drove in Bedford.
Camera Locations in Bedford
Flock cameras are placed at key entry and exit points throughout Bedford to maximize coverage. Here are all 9 known camera locations.
You Can't Leave Bedford
Without Being Tracked
"Every route in and out of Bedford passes a Flock camera. Whether you're heading to work, taking your kids to school, or just getting groceries, your movements are being logged, stored, and shared with law enforcement agencies across Virginia.
Demand Transparency.
Protect Your Privacy.
Contact the Town Council
Your elected representatives need to hear from you. Demand that the Town of Bedford hold public hearings on the use of Flock surveillance cameras and provide transparency to residents.
- ▸Demand a public hearing on Flock camera usage
- ▸Request an independent audit of camera data access
- ▸Ask for a public vote before contract renewal
- ▸Demand signage at town limits disclosing surveillance
Cancel the Contract
Communities across the country have successfully ended their Flock contracts. From Austin, TX to Evanston, IL to Eugene, OR residents demanded change and got it. Bedford can do the same.
Success Stories
- ✓Austin, TX — City council voted to end Flock contract after community pressure
- ✓Evanston, IL — Residents successfully demanded removal of ALPR cameras
- ✓Eugene, OR — Community organizing led to contract cancellation