Amherst, Bedford sheriffs halt use of Flock cameras immediately

“The cameras and associated software will be shut down and remain inoperable until further notice,” Ayers said.

Bedford County Sheriff Mike Miller, in a news release Thursday, said he has always been a proponent of the Flock system and its capabilities to solve crimes and save lives. Miller said he recently spoke with neighboring sheriffs and police chiefs who, too, have had citizens asking questions concerning how the system operates and what safeguards are in place to protect residents from overreach and abuse of the system. 

Miller said it was discovered that the vehicle counts had discrepancies in the Flock system and Flock is working on providing his office with an explanation as to why. 

"For that reason, the cameras and associated software will be shut down and remain inoperable until further notice," Miller said. 

The sheriffs of Campbell and Appomattox counties announced plans Wednesday to discontinue their relationships with Flock Safety, following the lead of other Virginia jurisdictions that have ended their use of the fixed cameras that read license plates and other vehicle details.

Ayers, who previously served as sheriff from 1996 to 2015, said he came out of retirement to run for sheriff in 2023 to create transparency, confidence and trust for the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office.

“I have always made it a priority to be open and honest with the people who elected me to serve as their sheriff,” Ayers said. “I have not wavered in that respect, and I do not intend to do so now. That is why I bring this newly discovered information to the citizens of Amherst County.”

The Amherst County Sheriff’s Office purchased the Flock camera system during former Sheriff E.W. Viar’s time in office, according to Ayers.

“The system was carried over when I returned to office in January 2024,” Ayers said. “I retained the Flock system because it has continuously demonstrated great success in helping bring closure to a multitude of criminal cases. However, I have recently noticed that there seems to be an elevated level of community interest in this technology and what it actually does.

“I recently spoke with sheriffs in the neighboring counties, and they, too, have had citizens asking questions concerning how the system operates and what safeguards are in place to protect citizens from overreach and abuse of the system.”

The Amherst County Sheriff’s Office recently did an internal audit of the numbers that were displayed on a posted transparency portal, and it was discovered that there were some discrepancies in the numbers that were provided to the department, Ayers said.

“Our Flock liaison officer spoke directly with a Flock representative, made our concerns known, and was advised that Flock is aware of these issues and is currently working to resolve the problems,” Ayers said.

He said it was imperative to make the information available to residents as soon as possible.

Miller's news release said his office has audited its monthly use of Flock as per policy and his decision to stop the use in no way is a result of misuse or abuse by any employees of the Bedford County Sheriff's Office.