Virginia is de-Flocking. Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield aren't

State of play: Goochland recently stopped using its 11 cameras after Sheriff Steven Creasey cited residents' concerns over privacy and the technology's evolving legal landscape.

• It's one of at least 20 Virginia localities that have pulled away from Flock since July, reports Cardinal News.

Yes, but: Richmond and Henrico plan to renew their contracts through mid- to late 2027. Chesterfield's six-year contract won't be up for renewal until June 2029, per the Richmonder.

• Richmond has 99 fixed cameras, Henrico has 122 and Chesterfield has 88.

What they're saying: Local police have repeatedly defended Flock cameras as critical crime-solving tools.

• Henrico and Chesterfield cite cases in which the technology helped find shooting suspects, a kidnapped child and a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run.
• Chesterfield also says Flock contributed to nearly 300 arrests through Aug. 3 this year.

The intrigue: How difficult — and expensive — would it be for the localities to exit their contracts early?

• It's cost other localities thousands of dollars. Take Albany, Oregon, which paid about $7,000 to end its contract six months early in June.
• Monroe County, Indiana, paid roughly $3,000 to remove six cameras about a year early.

What we're watching: The backlash has also reached the General Assembly, with Democratic Sen. Lashresce Aird and Chesterfield Republican Sen. Glen Sturtevant planning to propose legislation to ban automated license plate readers statewide.