The Alexandria Sheriff's Office (ASO) operates two fixed Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras positioned where vehicles enter and exit the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center complex. A detention center is a sensitive facility, and these cameras are an important part of the layered security that protects the people housed there, the staff who work there, and the surrounding area. Because the cameras are positioned on public roadways, they also capture vehicles traveling those roadways. ALPR systems are used to identify vehicles, not persons.

ALPR technology is used solely for official law enforcement purposes and in compliance with § 2.2-5517, Code of Virginia. It may not be used to interfere with individuals engaged in lawful activities or to track individuals based on protected speech. 

Privacy Protections 

Data captured by the system is purged after 21 days, as required by state law. Access is limited to trained, authorized employees with a legitimate law enforcement need, and every query must be tied to a documented purpose and case number.

Internal Auditing

ASO audits the system at least once every 30 days, sampling no less than 5% of that period's queries, downloads, and related stops to confirm that each was properly authorized and documented.

Data Sharing

The ASO system is not configured to share data with any other agency, and no outside agency has standing access to search it. Any request from another law enforcement agency is handled only as the Code of Virginia permits. State law does not allow ASO to share this data with federal agencies, including those that conduct civil immigration enforcement, absent a court order or subpoena. ASO will not share data for the purpose of civil immigration enforcement.

Policy & Transparency

Read the policy on ALPR usage here. 

View the ASO Transparency Portal on Flock Safety Cameras here.