Damascus Cancels Flock Safety Contract Amid Privacy Concerns
The town of Damascus has unanimously voted to cancel its contract with Flock Safety, a company that provides license plate reading surveillance cameras. This decision follows similar actions by other Virginia localities concerned about privacy and data protection, despite the…
Norfolk Portsmouth Newport News, VA, October 8, 2026 — The town of Damascus has officially decided to terminate its contract with Flock Safety, a company that supplies license plate reading surveillance cameras. The town council voted unanimously to cancel the agreement.
This action by Damascus aligns with a growing trend observed in other localities across Virginia. These towns have also moved to end contracts with Flock Safety, citing significant concerns regarding resident privacy and the protection of collected data. The technology deployed by Flock Safety involves cameras that read vehicle license plates, intended to assist law enforcement.
Despite the council’s decision, local officials, including the police chief and the mayor, had previously expressed support for the surveillance cameras. They reportedly viewed the technology as a beneficial tool for crime-fighting efforts within the community. However, the concerns over privacy and data protection ultimately outweighed these perceived benefits in the town’s decision-making process.
The specific details regarding the timeline for the contract’s termination or any potential implications for ongoing investigations were not immediately available. The decision in Damascus reflects a broader debate occurring in communities nationwide about the balance between public safety surveillance technologies and individual privacy rights.
Story summarized from the original created by Siena Duncan on cardinalnews.org, see more information here.
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