Virginia: Boyd Gaming approved to install Flock Safety cameras around Norfolk Casino

The Norfolk City Council has approved Boyd Gaming's request to install automatic license plate reader cameras around its proposed casino site.

Council members voted Tuesday on an ordinance allowing the company to place Flock Safety cameras and mobile camera trailers at eight locations near the casino and Harbor Park, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

According to city documents, the company plans to install 11 fixed license plate readers along Park and Lovitt avenues, while four mobile units would be stationed near parking lots on Park Avenue, Lovitt Avenue, Clay Avenue, and Interstate 264.

Only some of the cameras needed council approval because they would encroach on the public right-of-way.

Norfolk Police already uses more than 170 Flock cameras citywide. The devices photograph every passing vehicle, logging the plate number, make, body type, and color. The data is stored temporarily in the cloud and shared with law enforcement agencies.

Police say the system helps solve many crimes. Meanwhile, privacy advocates argue it enables warrantless surveillance and violates Fourth Amendment rights. Last month, a Virginia Court of Appeals panel ruled that drivers do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy on public roads, reversing an earlier decision in a case brought by two Hampton Roads residents.