What is “State of Surveillance”?
State of Surveillance is a Redbird story series from Cardinal News that investigates the growing use of surveillance technology across Southwest and Southside Virginia. From small towns to city centers, law enforcement agencies are increasingly adopting tools like automated license plate readers and Flock Safety cameras — capturing vehicle details including make, model, and even bumper stickers. While advocates say these systems enhance public safety, the series explores critical concerns about privacy, data security, and the lack of public oversight. Through deep reporting and local insight, this Redbird investigation asks: Who’s watching, and who’s watching the watchers?
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Where your legislators stand on HEAT funding paying for public surveillance
Changes to Virginia law are also affecting the way that LPR technology can be used by police.
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Grants funded by your car insurance pay for surveillance tech in Virginia
A fund created in the 1990s to reward car theft tips now provides over $1 million a year for surveillance tech for police.
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How local police are using LPR surveillance cameras
Nearly 25% of LPR searches from one police department’s audit used “Other” as the reason to access data from over 10,000 cameras.
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Cardinal News wins FOIA battle for Flock footage in Roanoke Circuit Court
The court ruled a citizen requesting information about their own vehicle is within the bounds of FOIA and not subject to any existing exemptions by police.
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