The Roanoke Police Department (RPD) is publicly defending its use of 24 Flock license plate reading cameras, framing them as a crucial tool for public safety. The department claims the cameras have been instrumental in solving violent crimes, including a recent murder, by enabling rapid location of suspect vehicles. In response to privacy concerns, the RPD highlights safeguards such as restricted data access, internal audits, and a justification requirement for every search. The system exclusively captures vehicle images, not driver identities, and is not used for traffic or immigration enforcement. A new Virginia law mandates data deletion after 21 days and exempts the data from public FOIA requests, further concentrating control. While the RPD promotes a public transparency portal, access for outside agencies is restricted, with federal and out-of-state police requiring a subpoena.