Flock LPR Cameras
Virginia Tech uses automatic license plate reader technology as one component of its efforts to support the safety and security of the university community. ALPR cameras capture objective, vehicle-related information such as license plate numbers, vehicle characteristics, and direction of travel. They do not record video, do not use facial recognition, and are not designed to identify drivers or passengers. The questions below explain how the technology works and how it is used at Virginia Tech.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an automatic license plate reader?
An automatic license plate reader, or ALPR, is a camera system that captures still images of vehicles and license plates as they pass a fixed location. The cameras capture point-in-time images, not continuous video, and record information such as a vehicle's license plate, physical characteristics, and direction of travel.
What is Flock Safety?
Flock Safety is a public safety technology company that provides ALPR systems and related software to law enforcement agencies, schools, businesses, and communities. Virginia Tech uses Flock Safety cameras.
How do the cameras work?
The cameras are installed at fixed locations and activate when a vehicle passes through the camera's field of view. They primarily capture images of the rear of the vehicle, including the license plate. Authorized law enforcement users can search the system by license plate or by certain vehicle characteristics.
Do the cameras record video?
No. The cameras capture still images only.
Do the cameras use facial recognition?
No. The system identifies vehicles and license plates, not people. It does not use facial recognition technology. According to § 23.1-815.1of the Code of Virginia, campus law enforcement agencies are prohibited for utilizing facial recognition technology unless it is expressly authorized by Virginia statute.
Do the cameras photograph pedestrians?
The cameras are positioned to capture vehicles and license plates. A person may appear incidentally in a still image, but the system cannot identify, search for, or filter images based on a person's individual characteristics, like race, gender.
What information does the system collect?
The system may capture the following information about a passing vehicle:
- License plate information
- Vehicle make or type
- Vehicle color and other visible characteristics
- Direction of travel
- Date, time, and camera location associated with the image
The technology is focused on vehicles, not on identifying drivers or passengers.
How does ALPR technology assist law enforcement?
ALPR data can provide investigative leads and help law enforcement identify or locate vehicles associated with:
- Stolen vehicles or license plates
- Missing or endangered persons
- Wanted individuals
- Criminal investigations
The system can also alert authorized personnel when a passing license plate matches information in applicable law enforcement databases.
Is ALPR use regulated by law?
Yes. Virginia law regulates how law enforcement agencies may use ALPR technology, including the purposes for which the system may be searched, how long data may be retained, and penalties for misuse. Virginia Tech's use of ALPR complies with these requirements. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title2.2/chapter55.6/section2.2-5517/
Does the system issue speeding or parking tickets?
No. The system is an investigative and public safety tool. It is not used for routine traffic or parking enforcement.
Parking Services does use a form of LPR to assist in parking enforcement. More information on that system can be found in the Parking Rules and Regulations Guide at: 2026-2027 Parking Rules and Regulations | Parking Services | Virginia Tech
Can the cameras track a vehicle continuously?
No. Each camera captures a vehicle only as it passes through that camera's field of view. The camera does not follow a vehicle after it leaves the location.
How long is ALPR data retained?
Consistent with University Policy 5617, ALPR data is automatically deleted after 15 days, unless it is part of an ongoing investigation. Virginia law currently sets a limit of 21 days on data retention but VTPD voluntarily elected to reduce our length of data retention.
What happens if the system misreads a plate or generates an incorrect alert?
An ALPR alert is an investigative lead, not confirmation of wrongdoing. Before taking any enforcement action, officers independently verify the information, including the plate number, state of issue, and vehicle description.
How is the information protected?
ALPR data is stored in Amazon Web Services cloud infrastructure and, according to Flock Safety, is encrypted on the device, in transit and in AWS Cloud storage. Data Security is tested and Access is limited to authorized users.
Flock safety indicates that their system is reviewed against widely recognized standards including SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001, with privacy principles aligned to ISO27701. These certifications cover security, availability, confidentiality, and data minimization principles. Their system also meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) federal requirements for handling criminal justice related information.
Who owns the ALPR data?
Virginia Tech owns the data collected by its ALPR cameras. Flock Safety does not own, sell, or share the data for commercial purposes. Virginia Tech Police will share images with Flock client services when we encounter situations when the camera misreads a license plate. This supports future product improvement by Flock Safety.
Who can access Virginia Tech's ALPR information?
Access is limited to personnel with an authorized law enforcement or public safety purpose. Virginia law limits the use of the system to searches for criminal investigations and missing/endangered persons reports.
Can Virginia Tech share ALPR information with other law enforcement agencies?
Yes. Flock Safety technology allows agencies to share access to ALPR information with other law enforcement agencies. Virginia Tech determines which agencies may access its ALPR information in accordance legal requirements.
Virginia law prohibits the sharing of information with Federal agencies and agencies outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Commonwealth of Virginia law enforcement agencies follow the same legal requirements as Virginia Tech when they conduct searches. Agencies that run searches that include Virginia Tech data only view images that match their search. Outside agencies are not able to openly view all images collected by Virginia Tech cameras.
This shared access is especially critical with our regional partners as a majority of our student, faculty and staff population does not live on campus. Through this partnership we support the safety of the greater community.
Are searches of the system monitored?
Yes. Users must document a reason for every search, and authorized administrators conduct a monthly audit of search records to ensure the system is being used lawfully.
Can private businesses or organizations access Virginia Tech Police Department ALPR data?
No. Private organizations may choose to share their own Flock Safety data with law enforcement, but law enforcement data is not made available to private organizations. Virginia Tech Police Department does not have any current agreements with private organizations to access their data. Only law enforcement agencies.
What is a "hot list"?
A hot list is a law enforcement database of vehicles or license plates associated with specific public safety concerns, such as stolen vehicles or missing persons. The ALPR system can alert authorized personnel when a passing vehicle matches a hot list entry. An alert is an investigative lead only. It does not, by itself, establish that the driver or occupants have committed a crime.
How does Virginia Tech protect privacy when using ALPR technology?
The system collects vehicle-related information visible from public roadways, not information that specifically identifies a driver or passenger. Additional protections include limiting system access, requiring a documented purpose for every search, conducting and maintaining audit records, restricting data sharing, and limiting how long data is retained.
The Virginia Tech Police Department conducts a monthly audit to ensure our personnel are using the system lawfully. The Department also submitted a quarterly report to the Virginia State Crime Commission and will submit an annual report in 2027 to the Virginia State Police.
Flock Safety also implemented a set of tools in August of 2026 that review system utilization and flag suspicious uses for review by agency administrators.
Where are Virginia Tech's ALPR cameras located?
As the ALPR cameras are part of Virginia Tech's safety and security framework, VTPD does not comment on specific locations of the cameras. The main campus has 15 cameras installed in Blacksburg and the Marion Dupont Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, VA has one camera installed.
Why is Virginia Tech using ALPR technology?
The challenges of protecting an open campus environment are significant. Virginia Tech creates a safety framework through the combined use of people, processes, and public safety infrastructure, equipment and technology to help protect students, employees, visitors, and university property. ALPR was originally deployed in December 2023 and supplements traditional law enforcement practices by giving investigators access to objective vehicle-related information that may help rapidly identify vehicles associated with a specific incident.
Has the ALPR technology been successful?
Yes. Since implementation, VTPD has used ALPR technology to resolve a stalking case, recover a stolen vehicle, and identify a suspect vehicle in catalytic converter thefts.
About Flock Safety:
Learn more about Flock Safety: www.flocksafety.com