Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR)
Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are technology used by law enforcement to assist with identifying vehicles associated with criminal investigations or public safety concerns. The cameras capture images of license plates and certain vehicle characteristics as vehicles pass through their field of view. This information can help investigators locate stolen vehicles, identify vehicles connected to crimes, develop investigative leads, and assist in locating missing or endangered persons.
ALPRs are an investigative tool and do not replace traditional police work. They are designed to capture vehicle-related information rather than determine the identity of the driver or passengers. Access to ALPR data is limited to authorized personnel and is subject to agency policies, applicable laws, and established retention requirements.
Impact Stories
Missing Adult with dementia, didn’t have her phone with her. Sgt. Davis got a hit on her vehicle on Flock and a traffic stop was initiated and the female was returned home safe.
Grand Larceny, A report of a stolen outdoor heating and cooling unit. Deputies were able to get camera footage from the Toms Brook Fire Department which assisted in identifying the suspect’s vehicle that turned into the victim’s residence. The Fire Departments times were off in their video footage, but the vehicle description was used to search the Toms Brook Flock Camera confirming the vehicle was on Old Valley Pike. A warrant was obtained and the suspect was charged with Grand Larceny – Building.
Larceny, A deputy was working on an incident involving larceny and suspected the vehicle involved in this incident on 8/23/25 may be a white in color Ford pickup truck. The deputy checked Flock and observed that vehicle traveling West on Old Valley Pike at E. Creek Rd. in Toms Brook, VA on 8/23/2025 at 1255 hours. The deputy observed what appeared to be a female with blonde hair in the driver’s seat of the vehicle and a male in the passenger seat. The suspects were identified and were arrested/charged with destruction of property, petit larceny-from building, and driving while suspended or revoked.
BOL was provided by Prince William County for a Wanted individual. The subject’s TAG # was entered into Flock. A Flock hit alerted where a traffic stop was conducted and the subject was taken into custody.
Larceny, the victim received an email that 4 packages were delivered by UPS. 2 packages contained cellphones from T-Mobile. There were no packages at the victim’s house. UPS was contacted where they stated the suspect approached the driver about his packages and showed a confirmation number on his phone. It was learned that Woodstock PD had a similar case the day before. Both jurisdictions worked together to identify the suspect vehicle based off UPS’s description and utilize Flock and Axon LPR to assist with identifying the alleged suspect vehicle. Investigation is still ongoing.
Missing adult; On 5/12/26, a report came in that her father was missing. The gentleman was last seen earlier that morning. The daughter was able to provide a description of her father’s truck as well as the tag# which allowed the intel analyst to search FLOCK and actively let deputies know where the vehicle’s last location was. The gentleman was able to be safely located due to having FLOCK information to know his area of travel.
Warrant Service; Search Warrant was initiated in Edinburg, where approximately $30,000 in cash and cocaine were seized, along with other electronic devices. This led to SCSO obtaining multiple arrest warrants that were executed on 08/07/2026. The main target was not on location at the time of the search warrant, but a Flock Hit alerted at 6:40AM on E Reservoir Rd/Main St. A traffic stop was initiated, and it was determined the driver was DUI. The suspect was taken into custody. 2 suspects were arrested.
Stolen Vehicle; while doing an extra patrol, a deputies LPR device located in their patrol car got a hit on a stolen vehicle that was in a parking lot. The car was successfully returned to the owner and the suspect was charged.
10/9/2025, a FLOCK hit assisted with identifying a suspect in a trespassing case at Stonewall Jackson high School.
Deputy’s responded to 538 Haynes Wood Ln, New Market, VA for a suspected larceny at 0928 hours on 05/13/2025. The victim reported that a red pickup truck was going through mailboxes in the vicinity at 2030 on 05/12/2025. The victim described the man as a white man in his late 30s or 40s. The deputy recognized the partial tag. Deputies processed the incomplete tag with Flock. A tag hit in the area around the time the larceny occurred and was able to assist with identifying the suspect based on the returned vehicle registration. Harrisonburg PD arrested the suspect and charged with Petit Larceny.
The SCSO got a call for a missing/endangered adult. We got a hit on Flock of the missing adult’s vehicle in North Carolina where we were able to locate her safely.
Larceny, A license plate was reported stolen from George’s Chicken. The tag information was run in FLOCK where the stolen plate was seen on a Tractor Trailer in the areas of New Market and Woodstock. Identifying markers of the trailer were obtained from the Flock images to assist with the investigation. The Verkada camera system was then used to find a full image of the truck and trailer based off the Flock timestamp when it passed the Cook’s EXXON gas station. An image was obtained of the truck and trailer which is being used to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Shots Fired, Deputies were dispatched for shots fired in the area of Ridge Rd. Camera footage was obtained from the dwelling and was reviewed by investigations. Statements from the victims and the camera footage led investigations to believe the suspect vehicle was allegedly a white Toyota Rav4 (2014 model). FLOCK was searched with the vehicle descriptors and the timeframe before and after to see if the suspect vehicle hit on a camera to confirm they were around the area of Ridge Rd. Comparing the FLOCK search results to the garage camera footage, SCSO was able to determine the suspect vehicle did not pass one of the FLOCK cameras in the alleged vehicle, but did hit on one camera in another known vehicle of the suspect confirming the suspect was not in the area when the shots occurred. Investigation continues.
Missing Person, deputies were dispatched for a missing suicidal person. A BOL was given at 14:28 for the individual. A FLOCK search was conducted on the vehicle information provided to dispatch with the last known location being at 08:42 AM on camera Windsor Knit Rd (Eastbound). The individual was entered into NCIC/VCIN and the vehicle was added to a FLOCK hotlist for alerts if the vehicle would pass a camera location. At 19:40PM, a FLOCK alert notification came through for camera location Brocks Gap Rd @ Lori Mathis Ln (Eastbound) owned by Broadway PD. Rockingham County conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and notified SCSO.
Frequently Asked Questions
An automatic license plate reader, commonly referred to as an ALPR, uses specialized camera and software technology to capture still images of license plates and observable vehicle characteristics as vehicles travel through the camera’s field of view. An automatic license plate reader, commonly referred to as an ALPR, uses specialized camera and software technology to capture still images of license plates and observable vehicle characteristics as vehicles travel through the camera’s field of view.
What is an automatic license plate reader?
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The Flock Safety system captures still images of vehicles traveling within the camera’s field of view. The system records visible license plate information and vehicle characteristics such as make, model, body type, and color. The camera’s field of view typically covers approximately one and a half lanes of traffic moving in a single direction.
The system does not continuously record video or audio. It does not use facial-recognition technology, identify vehicle occupants, or independently access an individual’s personal information through its analysis of license plate characters.
How does the system work? Does it record everything that passes?
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Information captured by the cameras is encrypted and retained within the Flock Safety system for 21 days. Information may be retained beyond 21 days when it is associated with an ongoing investigation, prosecution, or civil action, as permitted by Virginia law and Department policy.
Access is limited to trained and authorized department personnel. Information may be shared with another law-enforcement agency in Virginia only when the sharing is permitted by Virginia law, relates to an authorized law-enforcement purpose, and is approved by the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office.
How long is information retained, who has access to it and when may it be shared?
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How does Flock Safety protect the information collected?
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Flock Safety does not sell information collected through Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office’s ALPR system or independently share it with third parties.
Information may be shared with another law-enforcement agency in Virginia only when the sharing is permitted by Virginia law, relates to an authorized law-enforcement purpose, and is approved by the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office.
Every search conducted within the ALPR system must comply with Virginia law and Department policy. Authorized users are required to enter a specific case or incident number and document the law-enforcement purpose for each search.
The system maintains an audit trail documenting system access and searches. The Department conducts an internal audit at least once every 30 days and reports annually to the Virginia Department of State Police as required by state law.
Willful and intentional use of the system for an unauthorized purpose may constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia law.
All authorized ALPR users must complete initial training and annual refresher training. Training includes a review of Department policy, operating procedures, authorized uses, prohibited uses, and applicable Virginia law.
What accountability measures are in place?
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No. The ALPR cameras used by the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office are not used to detect speeding, red-light violations, stop-sign violations, parking violations, or other routine traffic offenses.
The system does not issue automated citations or traffic tickets.
Are the cameras used for speed enforcement or other traffic violations?
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Individual ALPR system data and audit-trail data are not subject to public disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Information about the Department’s use of the system is available through the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office Flock Safety Transparency Portal, Axon Transparency Portal and the Virginia State Police website.
Where can I find additional information?