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South Fulton residents debate privacy, oversight at Flock town hall

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:00:17 -0400

South Fulton leaders and residents met Thursday night for an often tense town hall meeting to confront privacy questions and demand stricter oversight over neighborhood Flock surveillance cameras.

South Fulton Flock discussion

City of South Fulton leaders hosted the public forum at the Southwest Arts Center to explain how automated license plate readers work and take questions from the community.

A Flock Safety representative told the audience that the cameras take photos of the rear of vehicles rather than drivers or passengers, adding that the system helped locate more than 10,000 people across the country last year and assisted in over 1 million police investigations.

The town hall came after South Fulton Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs and state Sen. Jaha Howard announced a joint push to limit who can access Flock camera databases and establish criminal consequences for those who abuse the technology.

Police departments across Georgia have terminated 40 law enforcement officers for running unauthorized personal searches on the surveillance network. While local agencies can fire or suspend employees who break department policy, officials pointed out that unauthorized searches do not currently violate Georgia criminal law.

Residents at the meeting shared mixed reactions about having the cameras stationed in their neighborhoods.

Local resident Clark Williams noted he attended to understand why the devices are necessary, while resident Cheryl stated she remains skeptical but wanted to evaluate the pros and cons.

Neighborhood Flock administrator Pete Meadows praised the technology's effectiveness but questioned what oversight South Fulton has established to prevent unauthorized usage.
Howard emphasized that any effective state law must focus on restricting database access and closing loopholes that enable improper searches.

Howard and Gumbs stressed that any new state law must close loopholes and protect citizen privacy.

"Specifically, we can talk about two things: Access and accountability," Howard said. "We are responding across the state to have limited access. You should be doing a real investigation."

Howard added that community feedback will guide the legislation, noting that the best ideas often come from everyday residents rather than elected officials.

Mayor Gumbs emphasized that internal police discipline is not enough to deter bad actors.

"For me accountability is important. As a female and as many women, they want to make sure their safety is of the utmost importance," Gumbs said. "For me it is important to put guardrails. We don't want people out there doing things that are unlawful."

Proposed camera legislation timeline

State leaders have not released the specific wording of the proposed bill or outlined the exact criminal penalties that could be attached to unauthorized camera searches. Flock Safety has also not publicly detailed any specific software or security changes it plans to roll out to curb insider abuse.

Howard plans to spend the coming weeks reviewing feedback from residents and law enforcement to finalize the bill before state lawmakers return to the Capitol in January.

Madison County drops Flock Safety cameras, citing high costs

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 21:10:56 -0400

The Madison County Sheriff's Office has cut ties with Flock Safety, announcing that the license plate reading system is simply not worth the financial cost.

The sheriff's office confirmed that it ended its relationship with Flock Safety as of September after utilizing the system for a couple of years.

Officials explained that while the automated license plate reader platform served as a potentially useful investigative tool, the department determined the benefits were not worth the continuing expense.

Deputies noted that while the cameras remain physically mounted along local roadways, they are powered down, inactive, and not photographing any passing vehicles.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office addressed the contract cancellation and the ongoing equipment removal process in a public statement:

"After using the system for a couple years we have decided that while FLOCK is a potentially useful investigative tool, the benefits are simply not worth the financial cost," the sheriff's office said. "While FLOCK has been a little harder to work with during the removal process than we had expected, the cameras will be removed in the next few weeks."

Flock Safety has not released a public statement regarding the contract termination.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Flock Safety operates automated license plate networks for hundreds of police departments, sheriff's offices, and neighborhood associations statewide.

However, the technology has faced mounting legal and legislative pushback. In recent months, law enforcement employees in Savannah, Milton, Vidalia, Coweta County, Hall County and other Georgia jurisdictions have faced termination or criminal charges over allegations of using the system for unauthorized personal searches.

With early voting underway and the general election two weeks away, digital surveillance has emerged as a key issue on campaign trails and in legislative circles.

Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock joined Alabama Sen. Katie Britt in sending a formal letter urging Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Department of Justice to establish nationwide guardrails for local police use of automated license plate readers.

The technology took center stage during the Georgia gubernatorial debate earlier this month after a Fulton County voter questioned candidates on privacy protections in Atlanta.

Located in Northeast Georgia roughly 85 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, just past Athens, Madison County has a population of about 30,000 residents.

The sheriff's office did not disclose the specific annual cost of the contract or state how many Flock cameras were installed across Madison County during the partnership.

It's unclear if the recent pushback against the technology led to the sheriff's office decision.

Fired Milton police detective's wife defends him using Flock to track her

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:48:54 -0400

The wife of a fired Milton police detective is defending his use of Flock Safety's database to track her.

"My husband did not misuse flock," said Mariam Dula, the wife of former Milton detective Randy Dula. "He used it to save my life, just as a police officer is sworn to do."

Dula said she is diabetic, and in the seven instances her husband Randy Dula looked up her whereabouts using her license plate reader, she claims she could have died.

The Milton Police Department terminated the detective in August, after Dula's attorney said he tracked his wife using Flock Safety's database.

"[O]n seven different occasions over a two-year period, he lost contact with her when she was in a diabetic distressful situation and used flock to find her," said Mitch Skandalakis, the Dulas' attorney. "It's just that simple."

Mariam Dula said she is diabetic and was having life-threatening medical emergencies the seven times he used the artificial-intelligence database to find her using her license plate number.

She said her husband usually kept tabs on her using a glucose monitor and a location application on her phone, but they were not working properly in each of the seven instances.

"Unfortunately, technology fails, and the only reason he resorted to even using flock was because all the measures we had put in place didn't work," Dula said.

The former detective was named Officer of the Year in 2024, but is now out of a job.

According to the Milton Police Department's transparency page on Flock's website, data is restricted for law enforcement purposes only, noting that "personal use" is prohibited ().

When asked by FOX 5, the couple's attorney said the former detective did not contact dispatch or his supervisors during any of the instances.

"Because the policy didn't require him to," Skandalakis said.

Mariam Dula said he instead contacted loved ones, who responded quicker than other first responders could have.

The firing comes as dozens of members of law enforcement in Georgia and across the country have been charged with misusing the database to track family members, lovers, or exes.

That has resulted in growing pushback from civilians about privacy concerns.

"Following the advice of the City Attorney, the City of Milton does not comment on individual employment or personnel matters," a city spokesperson said.

At this point, the former detective has not been charged criminally with misusing the Flock system, which is a felony.

Vidalia police sergeant charged with misusing Flock system

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:27:51 -0400

A now former Vidalia Police Department sergeant faces criminal charges after state investigators said he repeatedly misused a law enforcement license plate reader system for personal reasons.

Vidalia police investigation

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested 37-year-old Santonio Wilcher of Lyons after an internal audit at the Vidalia Police Department.

Department leaders contacted state agents on Oct. 14 to look into potential employee misconduct.

Investigators determined Wilcher accessed the Flock Safety System multiple times for non-law enforcement reasons, according to the GBI.

Wilcher is no longer employed with the police department and was booked into the Toombs County Jail on two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system and violation of oath of office.

Legal process

Authorities have not released details regarding the specific searches Wilcher allegedly performed on the license plate system.

Officials also have not stated whether Wilcher turned himself in or was taken into custody by agents.

Once agents finish the active investigation, the file will go to the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Athens police officer fired for allegedly using Flock system to track ex

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 17:37:06 -0400

An Athens-Clarke County police officer has been terminated after an internal investigation revealed he misused the Flock system for personal reasons, according to the department.

On Monday, an Athens-Clarke County police officer suspected a colleague misused the Flock camera system.

An immediate internal investigation found that Officer Tyler Vaughn improperly used the license plate reader system to search a vehicle's license plate belonging to his former girlfriend, the department stated.

Police said Vaughn ran the search numerous times over approximately one week in 2025.

The department said it prohibits officers from using the system for non-law enforcement purposes.

After the investigation, the department took action and fired Vaughn.

Authorities added that the department has also implemented additional safeguards only allowing supervisors and high-ranking officials to access the system.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department also asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to conduct an independent criminal investigation.

Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters strongly condemned the misconduct, calling the improper searches a direct breach of public trust.

"I am deeply disappointed by Officer Vaughn’s actions. I do not take this incident lightly," he said. "The misuse of our ALPR system is a serious violation of the trust placed in our officers, and we will hold those who violate this department's policies and standards accountable. I also want to recognize the officer who reported this misconduct. It demonstrates the integrity and professionalism we expect from the men and women of ACCPD. Our officers have a responsibility to hold themselves and one another accountable, and I am proud of those who uphold that responsibility."

It remains unclear whether or when Vaughn will face criminal charges related to the improper searches.

Residents sign petition asking Avondale Estates to remove Flock cameras

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:26:40 -0400

A growing group of Avondale Estates residents is petitioning city leaders to completely remove automated license plate readers over surveillance and privacy concerns.

Avondale Estates Flock camera petition

A change.org petition calling for the removal of Flock license plate recognition cameras in Avondale Estates has gathered more than 800 signatures, driven by resident concerns over data privacy and constant surveillance.

The small community currently operates about 10 of the Flock cameras. However, residents who signed the petition are asking the city to take all of them down.

Organizers are advocating for formal legal frameworks rather than internal police policies to regulate automated license plate readers, focusing on how data is accessed, collected, and shared across interconnected camera networks.

Resident surveillance concerns

Kate Denny, an Avondale Estates resident who signed the petition, said the lack of oversight and data protection surrounding the AI-driven network is a primary concern. She and other residents are advocating for laws to be created around

"That regulates how Flock is used, who can use it, how it's accessed, all of that needs to be … law," Denny said.

Concerns over potential misuse by law enforcement, along with long-term data storage, have further fueled the opposition. Denny pointed to instances of officers being arrested or placed on leave for misusing Flock systems as reasons for caution.

"Once you get all of this out there and accumulate all of this data ... How are we going to put it back in Pandora's box?" Denny said.

While Denny noted that police should have the necessary tools to keep the community safe, she argued that license plate cameras cross the line into unwarranted tracking of everyday residents.

"But when a tool that they are using is making us feel less safe because of law-abiding citizens are being tracked, there's an issue with that," Denny said.

Denny hopes the petition will encourage Avondale Estates to set a precedent for surrounding areas considering similar technology.

"The safest thing to do is put in regulations to eliminate this particular type of surveillance, to put in regulations, and then find something that is a good tool that helps police that is also protecting the rest of the community," she added.

City response to petition

In response to the petition, the City of Avondale Estates issued a statement addressing the growing movement.

"The BOMC [Board of Mayor and Commissioners] is aware of the petition and is carefully weighing the pros and cons of Flock cameras as they consider the best decision for the City of Avondale Estates," the statement said.

City leaders have not announced an official date for a formal vote on whether to cancel or modify the Flock camera contract.

A public forum on Flock cameras organized by Denny is scheduled for Oct. 13 in her backyard at Avondale Estates.

Kennesaw man charged with destroying Flock cameras in Cobb County

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 22:46:57 -0400

A Kennesaw man faces multiple criminal charges after police said he confessed to destroying several Flock safety cameras across three Cobb County jurisdictions.

Cobb County camera damage

Authorities arrested 20-year-old James Ramirez of Kennesaw after Flock camera vandalism occurred in Cobb County, Kennesaw, and Acworth.

Police said Ramirez drove up in a white pickup truck, cut the cable connecting the camera to its solar panel, removed security screws, and knocked the camera off its base at Big Shanty Park. Before its destruction, the Flock camera captured photos of the vehicle and its license plate, allowing officers to track Ramirez down.

Kennesaw police said Ramirez also destroyed a Flock camera on Pine Mountain Road by removing screws, knocking down the top half of the pole, and smashing the device.

Acworth police reported that Ramirez vandalized another camera at the entrance of the Liberty Commons subdivision on Old Highway 41, where officers found cut wires and a smashed camera.

Ramirez was booked into jail on charges of interference with government property, criminal damage, and criminal trespass.

Flock camera controversy

Jean Ann Murphy, who was visiting the park, said that while she knows Flock cameras are controversial and does not have a stance on them, she is never for property destruction.

Visitor Paulo Moura said he guesses people destroy the cameras because they like their privacy, but noted that is not the right way to handle privacy concerns.

Crystal Ramos, another park visitor, said that while Flock cameras have been useful in solving crimes, she understands why some people disagree with them due to law enforcement abuse.

Ramos added that destroying the cameras or arresting people is not the answer, and that society needs to look deeper to fix the underlying problem.

Authorities have not released a specific motive explaining why Ramirez targeted the devices across the different areas.

While police have not confirmed whether additional locations were targeted, park visitors shared varying opinions on the surveillance technology.

Former Hall County investigator arrested for alleged Flock misuse

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:06:05 -0400

A former Hall County Sheriff's Office investigator is facing criminal charges after state agents say he misused a law enforcement license plate reader system for personal reasons.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested 42-year-old Justin Brown of Dahlonega on Wednesday. Brown was charged with two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system and two counts of violation of oath of office.

GBI agents launched an investigation on Aug. 18 after the Hall County Sheriff's Office conducted an internal audit of its Flock Safety System and flagged potential employee misuse.

Investigators said Brown accessed the camera system for non-law enforcement purposes while employed as an investigator with the sheriff's office.

Deputies booked Brown into the Hall County Detention Center.

Brown's arrest comes after a turbulent year for the Hall County Sheriff's Office, which has faced mounting internal audits, criminal charges, and high-profile resignations.

At least six other Hall County personnel, including investigators Michael Atkins and Melissa Wood, along with deputies Austin Scott Flanagan, Jason Orellana, Taylor McArthur, and Brandon Sanders, were terminated or resigned in August and September following internal audits that revealed widespread unauthorized searches of the Flock Safety camera system for personal matters.

The department has also been rocked at the top level by Sheriff Gerald Couch's arrest. He was arrested in February for DUI in his county-issued vehicle, suspended by Gov. Brian Kemp, and subsequently arrested again in May for violating his driving permit.

The compounded scandals have sparked community backlash, with the grassroots group, Concerned Citizens of Hall County, launching a petition drive to force a recall election for the sheriff.

The GBI did not release details on whose license plate or vehicle Brown was allegedly tracking. Authorities have not disclosed if Brown resigned or was fired following the internal audit.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the GBI Cleveland regional office at 706-348-4866 or the tip line at 1-800-597-8477.

Senate hearing targets Flock Safety as officers face misuse charges

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 22:52:40 -0400

Scrutiny of Atlanta-based Flock Safety went to Washington Wednesday.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill heard emotional testimony regarding the widespread use and potential abuse of the AI-powered license plate camera database and its competitors, but the CEOs were no-shows.

Capitol Hill surveillance hearing

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism discussed growing bipartisan criticism surrounding Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company specializing in license plate recognition technology.

The company's CEO, Garrett Langley, did not appear at the hearing despite the invitation from lawmakers.

Flock Safety did not respond to FOX 5's request for an explanation Wednesday.

During Florida resident Lindsey Isaacs's testimony, she described spending 13 days locked up for a deadly hit-and-run crash she had nothing to do with.

Isaac explained that a Flock automated camera logged her Dodge Durango 2 to 3 miles west of the crash scene, leading to her wrongful arrest, despite no damage to it.

Unanswered questions from Flock

It remains unclear how many law enforcement agencies nationwide are currently conducting internal investigations into potential system misuse, but several have canceled their contracts with Flock altogether.

Lawmakers push for privacy

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., criticized the database, adding that millions of innocent citizens have been scanned and recorded without due process.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., raised alarms about personal safety, revealing that 20 law enforcement officers in Georgia have been arrested for misusing the technology.

"Georgians want to be safe in their communities," Warnock said during a virtual news conference before the hearing. "Yes, they want to be safe from crime, but they also want to be safe from stalking."

Local action in Georgia

In Georgia, local leaders and students are taking action regarding how the surveillance tools are handled.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens proposed local legislation to govern camera usage while the Atlanta Police Department investigates 79 flagged internal search patterns.

Georgia state lawmakers also plan to come up with new regulations surrounding the AI cameras in their next legislative session.

At Kennesaw State University, computer science student Isaac Thoman is leading a movement to remove Flock cameras and audio systems from campus. Thoman, who bought a used Flock camera on eBay, demonstrated that pressing a rear button three times launches an open Wi-Fi hotspot.

Proposed changes to data

Flock Safety previously maintained that its technology does far more good than harm by helping law enforcement locate missing persons and stolen vehicles.

The company recently pledged to reduce its data retention window, shortening the timeframe it holds scanned license plate records from 30 days down to seven days.

OTHER RECENT FLOCK STORIES

Atlanta sends Flock camera safeguards back to committee

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:36:07 -0400

A proposal intended to strengthen Atlanta’s oversight of Flock cameras and other public safety technology is heading back to committee instead of moving forward for final approval.

The proposed ordinance would establish permanent citywide standards for automated license plate readers and other camera systems used by Atlanta law enforcement.

Council members referred the measure back to the Public Safety Committee for additional discussion. That means the proposed safeguards have not yet been adopted.

PREVIOUS STORIES

What would the Flock ordinance do?

Flock cameras automatically photograph license plates and collect information that law enforcement agencies can search while investigating crimes.

The Atlanta proposal would more clearly define when and how officers and other authorized employees may use those systems for legitimate law enforcement purposes.

It would also:

Strengthen privacy protections.
Clarify employees’ responsibility to follow departmental policies and Georgia law.
Require monthly audits of system use.
Establish permanent standards for public safety cameras across the city.

The ordinance would build upon Atlanta’s existing policies governing the technology. However, its return to committee means council members could revise it before considering it again.

No timetable was provided for another vote.

Atlanta expands paid caregiver leave

In a separate action, the city updated its paid caregiver leave policy for the first time in a decade.

Beginning Jan. 1, city employees who become parents will be eligible for 12 weeks of leave at 100% of their base pay. The policy covers primary and secondary caregivers and includes births, adoptions and foster-care placements.

Employees will be able to use the leave during the child’s first year.

Beltline rail funding plan advances

Council members also unanimously approved a resolution calling on Mayor Andre Dickens, MARTA and Atlanta Beltline officials to develop a funding plan for Beltline light rail.

ORIGINAL STORY: Atlanta City Council votes on Beltline rail plan

The proposal envisions 22 miles of rail connecting 45 Atlanta neighborhoods. The resolution does not fund construction, however. The mayor’s office, MARTA and Beltline officials must now determine how the project could be paid for.

Atlanta proposes new rules for Flock cameras, public safety tech

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:13:12 -0400

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens plans to seek new citywide rules governing license plate readers and other public safety camera technology following an audit of more than 115,000 searches conducted using the Flock system.

Dickens' administration said it will work with the Atlanta City Council to introduce the legislation at its Sept. 21 meeting. The proposal would establish standards governing how city departments use and access public safety camera systems and the data they collect.

The administration is seeking a City Council work session and public hearing on the proposal, with a goal of having the council consider final approval within 60 days of its introduction.

Flock audit prompted additional review

The proposal follows an audit ordered by Dickens of 115,578 Flock license plate reader searches conducted this year by the Atlanta Police Department.

According to the city, APD flagged 79 search patterns, approximately 0.07% of the total searches, for additional internal investigation to determine whether officers complied with department policies and training requirements.

The city emphasized that a search being flagged does not mean a violation occurred.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the department expects to complete its investigation of the flagged searches within 60 days. Any disciplinary, corrective or administrative action would be determined after that review.

APD changes license plate reader policy

APD has already revised its license plate recognition policy following the initial audit findings.

The changes more clearly define when the technology can be used and identify prohibited uses. The department also established monthly audits, updated training requirements and restricted access by outside law enforcement agencies.

Under the revised policy, inquiries from outside agencies must go through authorized APD task force officers. The department also restricted access through retired reserve officer accounts and reiterated that misuse could result in administrative or criminal consequences.

What the proposed Atlanta law would do

The proposed legislation would expand those safeguards beyond APD by establishing standards for public safety camera technology used across city government.

Among other provisions, the legislation would require written policies spelling out authorized and prohibited uses, who can access the systems and what training employees must receive.

It would also establish rules for how data is collected, protected, retained, deleted and shared.

High-risk law enforcement systems would be subject to monthly internal audits and quarterly public reporting on audit activity, findings and corrective actions, subject to restrictions protecting sensitive information.

An independent compliance review of high-risk technology would also be required annually.

The proposal would require contracts with Flock and other covered technology companies to incorporate Atlanta's privacy, security, access, data retention and sharing standards. Vendor compliance would be reviewed annually.

The city would also create a public inventory of covered technologies and establish additional review requirements before deploying new or significantly changed high-risk technology.

Technology installed temporarily for an emergency or major event could not automatically become permanent without further review and authorization.

Civil rights advocates argue that internal police department policy changes are not enough. Christopher Bruce with the ACLU of Georgia noted that internal policies can be removed by future administrations, emphasizing that permanent guardrails must be enacted into city law.

"The city of Atlanta is the most surveilled city in the United States," Bruce said, adding that advocates want legislation to require public hearings and City Council approval before any new surveillance technology is deployed.

Some uses would be explicitly prohibited

The legislation would prohibit city technology from being used for discriminatory or viewpoint-based purposes.

It would also prohibit the use of city systems or data for personal, commercial or other unauthorized purposes.

Dickens said the goal is to balance the use of technology as a law enforcement tool with privacy protections and oversight.

Public hearing planned

The proposal will still have to go through the City Council's legislative process.

The Dickens administration plans to request a council work session to examine the legal, technological and operational aspects of the legislation.

It is also seeking a public hearing where residents, civil rights organizations, privacy experts, public safety officials and other stakeholders could comment on the proposal.

Council committees would then consider the legislation and could make changes before it goes to the full council for a final vote.

Atlanta Police’s Public Affairs Unit did not respond to multiple email requests for comment ahead of the proposed legislation's introduction.

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More Flock misuse: Georgia officer facing charges in 2 counties

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:55:44 -0400

A former North Georgia police officer turned himself in Monday after state investigators said he unlawfully used a law enforcement license plate tracking system across two local departments.

Former Emerson Police Department Officer Anthony Trapani, 32, of Rockmart, was arrested Monday after turning himself in at the Cobb County Jail.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged Trapani with two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system and violation of oath of office.

The Acworth Police Department requested a state investigation on Aug. 25 after discovering searches on the Flock Safety System that violated policy.

Trapani worked as an Acworth police officer from June 2, 2019, through July 11, 2025, before transferring to the Emerson Police Department.

Officials said the improper searches occurred for non-law enforcement purposes during his time in Acworth and continued after his transfer to Emerson.

Acworth Police Chief Mark H. Cheatham notified Emerson Police Chief Kyle Teems before bringing in state agents.

Once the active investigation concludes, agents will submit the case file to the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office and the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Emerson’s police chief noted their department operates two Flock cameras installed in 2021 and has since instituted policy updates to safeguard against future abuses.

Once released from Cobb County, Trapani will be transferred to the Bartow County Jail to face a misuse charge stemming from his actions in Emerson.

Community members voiced growing concerns over police misuse of technology.

"My grandmother used to tell me if you do the crime, you do the time," said Emerson resident Jill Martin.

Acworth resident Elizabeth Carr said she previously supported Flock cameras but reconsidered after learning of abuses.

"Every technology we have can be misused and how do we stop that, I don't know," Carr said.

Resident Eric expressed mixed feelings as national cases rise.

"If you want to use them for elderly or missing child, great idea. I don't think we're ever going to stop from abusing it unless we only use it for particular purposes," Eric said.

Authorities have not revealed who or what Trapani was searching for when he allegedly misused the database.

State officials have not released whether additional charges will be filed as the active investigation continues.

How Newnan police plan to stop license plate camera abuse

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:00:23 -0400

Newnan police officials explained to the city council that the department has restricted its Flock license plate reader system to supervisors to prevent officer misuse.

Newnan Police Chief Brent Blankenship and Lt. Kevin Black presented their department's Flock camera policies to the city council following a request from the mayor.

The department operates five Flock cameras, which is relatively few compared to other area agencies.

While other departments allow street officers to search vehicle tag data, Newnan limits access strictly to sergeants and lieutenants. Officers must request a tag search through a supervisor.

Blankenship noted that departments across North Georgia face scrutiny over officers who allegedly misused Flock data for personal reasons, leading to firings and prosecutions.

To curb potential abuse, Newnan police supervisors run weekly audits of all internal searches, and the Flock company's built-in audit function flags repeated searches for the same vehicle tag.

The system retains data for 30 days.

The department uses its five cameras to get real-time alerts on stolen cars, Mattie's Calls, Amber Alerts and vehicles linked to violent crimes, homicides and robberies.

Officials did not state whether any police personnel had previously attempted unauthorized searches before the supervisor-only policy was established.

A councilman asked if the Flock system had ever been hacked, but police said they do not know of any situation where their specific data had an issue.

UGA employee suspended, demoted over unauthorized Flock acces

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 07:51:03 -0400

A University of Georgia employee has been suspended without pay and demoted after accessing the university's Flock automated license plate reader system without authorization.

According to UGA Today, a routine audit led to an investigation that found the employee accessed the Flock database twice in 2025 for two off-campus incidents.

The employee had technical access to the database but did not have authorization from a UGA Police Department supervisor to conduct the searches.

UGA said the employee's actions were not criminal.

The campus police department imposed a 20-day unpaid suspension and demoted the employee. As a result of the demotion, the employee will no longer have access to investigative databases.

OTHER RECENT FLOCK STORIES

Braselton officer ousted after internal audit uncovers Flock camera misuse

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:14:22 -0400

The Town of Braselton terminated a police officer after an internal investigation revealed improper use of the community's Flock camera system over a two-year period.

Braselton police investigation

The Braselton Police Department fired an officer on Aug. 20 after an internal probe revealed improper use of the Flock camera system during 2024 and 2025. Town officials referred the matter to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for further review.

An audit of all current town employees authorized to access the system uncovered no additional misuse. Interim Chief Tiller said the past behavior occurred under a former administration, and the department took immediate action to hold the individual accountable once notified.

Flock camera security

Earlier this year, the department enacted new safeguards to limit system access strictly to legitimate law enforcement activities. Command staff reduced authorized users from 23 to 14, restricting access to supervisors and specialized units.

Officers must now enter a case number and law enforcement purpose before accessing data. Audit software flags abnormal use automatically, blocking users pending review, while command staff conducts weekly log checks.

Georgia bureau review

Town officials have not released the officer's name. Authorities are not providing further comments while the GBI investigation remains active.

Doraville weighs surveillance cameras amid privacy concerns

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:12:15 -0400

Doraville city leaders are weighing the potential benefits of Flock cameras and other surveillance technology as concerns about privacy and police surveillance continue to grow.

The Doraville City Council discussed the technology during its meeting Wednesday night but stopped short of taking a vote.

ACLU calls for surveillance safeguards

Council members heard from Christopher Bruce, deputy executive director of the ACLU of Georgia, which is urging the city to establish strict guardrails through an ordinance before entering into agreements with surveillance technology vendors.

"It is really getting community control over police surveillance," Bruce said. "It is enabling the people of your municipality and letting them know what type of surveillance technology is going to be used."

The discussion comes as communities across metro Atlanta debate the use of automated license plate readers and other surveillance tools by law enforcement.

RECENT FLOCK STORIES

No decision yet

Doraville City Council members did not vote on the issue Wednesday. A decision could come at a later date.

The debate is also continuing in Cobb County, where a third and final community meeting on Flock cameras is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Another Hall County sheriff’s deputy resigns over Flock access; 7 cases total

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 22:21:49 -0400

A Hall County Sheriff's Office deputy resigned Friday following an internal investigation into unauthorized license plate searches using the agency's Flock Safety system.

Brandon Sanders submitted his resignation Friday after Internal Affairs investigators found he used the Flock system while off duty to run license plate searches not authorized by the agency.

Couch stated the agency uncovered seven total policy violations during a broad audit, terminating three employees and accepting four resignations.

Hall County Flock audit

The Internal Affairs Unit finished auditing the agency's Flock system on Sept. 4 after reviewing 758 searches and flagging 85 as suspicious. Sanders, who had been with the agency since Dec. 2021, conducted multiple unauthorized plate searches while off duty.

The sheriff's office referred Sanders and the other six former employees to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or the Hall County Solicitor for potential criminal charges.

All seven cases were also submitted to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, which could revoke their officer certifications.

Hall County Sheriff's Office woes

The Hall County Sheriff's Office has come under recent scrutiny over the last year, not only for accusations against deputies misusing the Flock camera system. Here's a look at some of the recent troubles:

Dec. 2025: Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch temporarily steps away from his duties, citing an unspecified health condition, before later returning to work.
Feb. 26, 2026: Court records show Couch is evaluated at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville and diagnosed with alcohol intoxication, with blood tests indicating a potentially fatal alcohol concentration level.
Feb. 27, 2026: Couch is arrested by the Georgia State Patrol after a Hall County deputy spots his county-issued Chevrolet Tahoe weaving erratically on Green Hill Road. Couch is booked into his own jail on charges of DUI, failure to maintain a lane, and possession of an open container before posting bond.
March 17, 2026: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp officially suspends Couch from office following an investigation by a state-appointed committee.
May 5, 2026: While on suspension, Couch is arrested again in neighboring Dawson County for allegedly violating the terms of his limited driving permit.
May 6, 2026: The Georgia Department of Driver Services publicly denies any "systemic failure" in issuing Couch's limited driving permit following his second arrest.
May 16, 2026: Gov. Kemp extends Couch’s suspension as a result of the Dawson County traffic arrest.
June 8, 2026: During a pre-trial evidentiary hearing, defense attorneys challenge the validity of the roadside sobriety tests and vehicle search, while prosecutors introduce evidence showing Couch admitted to drinking before driving.
June 17, 2026: Couch’s state-mandated suspension officially expires, allowing him to be reinstated pending trial.
Aug. 19, 2026: FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Investigator Justin Brown is terminated after an internal audit reveals he ran unauthorized Flock Safety searches on at least two license plates without a legitimate law enforcement purpose.
Aug. 24, 2026: FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Investigator Michael Atkins is terminated after an internal audit reveals he accessed the Flock database at least four times for personal matters.
Aug. 25, 2026: Deputy Austin Scott Flanagan is arrested on separate misdemeanor charges of making harassing phone calls. FOX 5 Atlanta later reports that he resigned while on administrative leave after an internal audit found he accessed the Flock system twice for personal reasons.
Aug. 26, 2026: FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Uniform Patrol Deputy Jason Orellana resigned while under investigation for running 10 unauthorized Flock searches requested by a colleague without system access.
Aug. 27, 2026: FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Jail Division Deputy Taylor McArthur resigned after being notified of an internal investigation for asking another deputy to run Flock searches on personal acquaintances.
August 2026: The grassroots group Concerned Citizens of Hall County organizes a petition drive to gather thousands of signatures needed to force a recall election for Sheriff Couch.
Sept. 2, 2026: FOX 5 Atlanta reports that Property Crimes Investigator Melissa Wood is terminated after internal investigators determine she repeatedly used the Flock system to track a personal acquaintance.
Sept. 4, 2026: Deputy Brandon Sanders resigns as the Internal Affairs Unit completes its agencywide Flock audit, which uncovered that he conducted multiple off-duty, unauthorized searches across various license plate numbers.

Hall County statement on sheriff recall

Hall County Director of Elections Lori Wurtz released a statement about the petition to recall the sheriff:

"The petition returned for the recall of Sheriff Gerald Couch on September 3, 2026, has been determined to be legally insufficient under O.C.G.A. Chapter 21-4... We will complete the verification process on the 2,291 submitted signatures, as required by law, and provide an update at the conclusion of that process. The verification process will not affect the determination that the recall petition is legally insufficient."

Wurtz noted that organizers submitted far fewer than the required 42,080 signatures to advance the petition, adding that Sheriff Couch's current term runs through until the next scheduled election in 2028.

License plate search overhaul

Officials have not released the specific license plate numbers or names of the individuals Sanders searched while off duty. Prosecutors have not announced whether formal criminal charges will be filed against Sanders or the six other former staff members.

Flock camera misuse in Georgia

FOX 5 Atlanta has documented multiple incidents of law enforcement officials accessing the Flock system without authorization. As of Friday, just under 50 incidents across Georgia, with just under 30 of those in metro Atlanta, have been disclosed or uncovered.

Database security upgrades

Sheriff Couch announced immediate policy changes restricting system access from 124 agency users down to 24 trained personnel.

Every future search must be linked to a specific criminal case number, and search data retention was reduced from 30 days to seven days unless needed as evidence.

The agency also opened a public Transparency Portal on its website to detail how the search system is used to solve crimes.

Sheriff Couch is scheduled to go to trial on his DUI charges at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 21 in Hall County.

How police used Flock cameras to catch man accused of burning them

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:26:06 -0400

A 25-year-old man faces multiple felony charges after authorities say he used a projectile to set surveillance cameras ablaze across Cobb County.

Cobb County police arrest

Cobb County police arrested 25-year-old Colby Williams of McDonough on Thursday morning following a string of damaged surveillance devices.

Investigators say late Tuesday night, someone shot projectiles at Flock cameras, setting them on fire. One camera at East Cobb Park was found completely melted, and there was a "DEFLOCK" sticker left on the pole.

Just a mile and a half down Roswell Road, three additional Flock cameras at a Home Depot were targeted. Two caught fire, while a third had two bullet holes.

Investigators tracked a 2013 gray Volkswagen captured on the camera network. Officers then used license plate recognition data from the system to locate Williams.

Williams was charged with four counts of criminal damage to property, four counts of arson, reckless conduct and interference with government property.

License plate camera destruction

Authorities have not said what type of projectile was used to shoot at the devices.

Police have not confirmed if Williams is connected to similar property damage reported in Henry County and Marietta. Marietta Police said they are working alongside Cobb County officers to determine if Williams is responsible for camera destruction in their jurisdiction.

Park visitors speak out

Visitors at East Cobb Park expressed concern over the deliberate destruction of public safety equipment.

"Why would people do that," frequent park visitor Bharat Kalani said.

Another park visitor, Uajee Uddim, noted there are "bad elements out there that are looking to target those cameras." Following the arrest, Uddim added, "Good to know he's been arrested, and I hope elements like those are off the street."

Park visitor Shawn Churney voiced mixed feelings about the widespread surveillance technology but condemned the violence. "Yeah, it can record crime, but you don't know what else they're using them for," Churney said. "Whoever did that y'all wrong for that man."

"They had been intentionally damaged," Cobb County Police Sgt. Eric Smith said. Smith noted that "Flock cameras were used to locate Williams."

Surveillance equipment vandalism

The arrest comes amid a broader national trend of automated license plate readers being vandalized.

3rd Hall County investigator fired over Flock camera misuse

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:20:40 -0400

A third Hall County Sheriff's Office investigator has been fired after an internal audit uncovered alleged unauthorized use of the agency's Flock Safety system.

The sheriff's office said Melissa Wood, who most recently worked as a property crimes investigator, was terminated Wednesday, Sept. 2.

According to the agency, its Internal Affairs Unit determined Wood used the Flock system multiple times to find the whereabouts of a person she knew.

Officials said the searches were personal and had no connection to a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

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Investigation continues

Wood had worked for the Hall County Sheriff's Office since February 2022.

Her termination is the latest disciplinary action stemming from an ongoing internal audit of the agency's use of Flock Safety technology.

The sheriff's office said Wood is the third investigator terminated for unauthorized use of the system.

The violations involving Wood, along with other violations uncovered during the audit, will be referred to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and the Hall County Solicitor's Office for additional review.

The sheriff's office said its audit of the Flock system remains ongoing.

Clayton County deputy arrested for alleged misuse of Flock system

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:55:12 -0400

A Clayton County deputy faces criminal charges after state investigators say he misused a law enforcement license plate reader system for personal reasons.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested and charged Clayton County Sheriff's Office Deputy Errol Farrell, Jr., 40, of Lithonia, with misuse of a license plate reader system.

The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to open an investigation after allegations surfaced about misuse of its Flock Safety System.

GBI agents said Farrell used the license plate reading technology for non-law enforcement purposes.

Farrell turned himself in on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, and was booked into the Clayton County Jail, according to the agency.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be turned over to the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Flock Safety cameras are widely used by Georgia law enforcement to track license plates and alert officers to stolen vehicles or wanted suspects. State law strictly limits access to these systems for official law enforcement duties, making unauthorized searches a criminal offense.

The arrest comes amid a significant statewide surge in law enforcement employees and officers facing criminal charges for misusing automated license plate readers. Across Georgia, several officers, deputies and agency staff have been arrested following widespread internal audits of the Flock Safety database.

The recent arrests come from a surge in departments running internal audits and considering policies over the system.

Beyond departmental oversight, the wave of unauthorized searches has sparked growing pushback nationwide over privacy rights and prompted calls for stricter oversight of police surveillance technology.

Investigators have not shared specific details about when the system was misused or whose license plates were searched.

It is unclear whether Farrell remains employed with the Clayton County Sheriff's Office or if he is currently on administrative leave.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the GBI Atlanta Regional Investigative Office at 770-388-5019 or submit an anonymous tip at 1-800-597-TIPS.

Georgia corrections agent arrested over alleged FLOCK misuse

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 07:56:33 -0400

A Georgia Department of Corrections Special Agent in Charge faces criminal charges after state investigators say he misused a license plate reader system.

GBI agents arrested and booked 45-year-old Robert "Bobby" Michael Keim into the Putnam County Jail on Tuesday.

Authorities charged the Eatonton man with misuse of a license plate reader system.

The state investigation began Aug. 18 after the Georgia Department of Corrections asked the GBI to look into allegations involving its Flock Safety System.

Preliminary information shows Keim used the Flock Safety System for non-law enforcement purposes.

Officials have not released the specific ways Keim allegedly used the surveillance system for non-law enforcement tasks.

Authority figures have also not stated if Keim posted bond or remains in custody.

GBI agents said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Anyone with information can contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173.

Tipsters can also submit details anonymously by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), visiting gbi.georgia.gov online, or using the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once agents finish the investigation, prosecutors with the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office will receive the full case file.

Hall County Flock audit exposes more unauthorized searches

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 22:02:02 -0400

More trouble with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office as three deputies resigned over an internal audit.

That audit, which is just the latest in a series of issues the sheriff’s office has experienced over the past year, was over the use of the county’s Flock safety system.

Hall County sheriff audit

Three deputies resigned from the Hall County Sheriff's Office while under internal investigation during an ongoing audit of the agency's Flock safety system, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputy Jason Orellana of the Uniform Patrol Division resigned last Wednesday. An internal investigation determined Orellana ran 10 unauthorized searches on the Flock system after a co-worker without access requested them. He had worked for the agency since April 2019.

Deputy Taylor McArthur of the Jail Division resigned last Thursday after receiving notice that she was under investigation for policy violations. Investigators said McArthur asked Orellana to check the Flock system for details about people she knew. She joined the sheriff's office in April 2023.

Deputy Austin Scott Flanagan resigned last Thursday while on paid administrative leave following an Aug. 25 arrest for making harassing phone calls. Investigators found Flanagan accessed the Flock system twice for personal reasons unrelated to his work duties. He had been with the agency since November 2022.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office continues to review the violations and will refer each case to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, according to the agency. The Internal Affairs Unit is continuing its agencywide audit.

Hall County Sheriff's Office troubles

Dec. 2025: Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch temporarily steps away from his duties, citing an unspecified health condition, before later returning to work.
Feb. 26, 2026: Court records show Couch is evaluated at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville and diagnosed with alcohol intoxication, with blood tests indicating a potentially fatal alcohol concentration level.
Feb. 27, 2026: Couch is arrested by the Georgia State Patrol after a Hall County deputy spots his county-issued Chevrolet Tahoe weaving erratically on Green Hill Road. Couch is booked into his own jail on charges of DUI, failure to maintain a lane, and possession of an open container before posting bond.
March 17, 2026: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp officially suspends Couch from office following an investigation by a state-appointed committee.
May 5, 2026: While on suspension, Couch is arrested again in neighboring Dawson County for allegedly violating the terms of his limited driving permit.
May 6, 2026: The Georgia Department of Driver Services publicly denies any "systemic failure" in issuing Couch's limited driving permit following his second arrest.
May 16, 2026: Gov. Kemp extends Couch’s suspension as a result of the Dawson County traffic arrest.
June 8, 2026: During a pre-trial evidentiary hearing, defense attorneys challenge the validity of the roadside sobriety tests and vehicle search, while prosecutors introduce evidence showing Couch admitted to drinking before driving.
June 17, 2026: Couch’s state-mandated suspension officially expires, allowing him to be reinstated pending trial.
August 2026: The grassroots group Concerned Citizens of Hall County organizes a petition drive to gather thousands of signatures needed to force a recall election for Sheriff Couch.

POST referrals

The Georgia Peace Officer Standards Training Council said it has not received the referrals as of Wednesday afternoon. The council can impose sanctions ranging from revocation of certification to suspension of certification, probation, or requiring additional training. It can also take no action.

Flock system review

Officials have not confirmed whether additional deputies are under investigation or if further unauthorized searches occurred during the ongoing audit.

Inquiries to the Hall County Elections Office seeking an update on the recall petition status were not immediately returned.

Flock camera misuse

The arrests and terminations highlight a growing statewide controversy surrounding the misuse of Flock Safety license plate readers by Georgia law enforcement.

Intended as a crime-fighting tool to track stolen vehicles and fugitives, automated internal audits have instead exposed dozens of officers, deputies, and civilian staff improperly accessing retained camera data for personal reasons, ranging from tracking romantic partners to conducting unauthorized background checks.

The mounting wave of misconduct investigations by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has fueled sharp pushback from civil liberties groups, prompted municipal contract reviews, and led to incidents of camera vandalism, even as technology officials maintain the software's audit safeguards are working as intended to hold rogue officers accountable.

Reports of Flock misuse in Georgia

FOX 5 Atlanta has been closely following the reports of misuse of Flock technology by law enforcement agencies across Georgia. More than 40 people have been accused of misusing the technology in various municipalities across the Peach State.

Here is a quick look at some of those incidents:

Hall County Sheriff's Office

Investigator Justin Brown was fired after an internal audit revealed he conducted unauthorized license plate searches with no legitimate law enforcement purpose. His case was referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Investigator Michael Atkins was terminated after an audit showed he accessed the Flock database on at least four separate occasions for personal matters.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Former Deputy Jerry Shellhouse was terminated and arrested on a felony charge of violation of oath of office and a misdemeanor count of prohibition on law enforcement retaining license plate data after improperly using the system for non-law enforcement purposes between October 2023 and December 2025.

Three additional employees were arrested in separate earlier cases for misuse of the agency's Flock system.

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Sgt. Kabiru Salawu was fired and arrested on charges including felony violation of oath of office and misdemeanor misuse of license plate data following an internal probe into unauthorized use of the department's Flock technology.

Savannah Police Department

Four former employees—ex-officers Marquis Dillard, Donald Phillips, and Matthew Rich, alongside former civilian community service specialist Calandic Thomas—were fired and arrested by the GBI after an audit showed they accessed retained license plate data for non-law enforcement purposes.

Dallas Police Department (Georgia)

Former 911 Director Heidi Taylor was arrested by the GBI on two misdemeanor counts of misusing a license plate reader system after accessing the Flock network for unauthorized reasons between 2024 and 2025.

Habersham County Sheriff's Office

A deputy was fired and arrested following allegations that he used the Flock system to track someone with whom he had a personal relationship.

Albany Police Department

Five former Albany police officers were arrested after a GBI audit found they accessed retained license plate information for non-law enforcement purposes.

Coweta County Sheriff's Office

Three employees resigned during an internal review into potential Flock camera misuse.

Sheriff Couch is scheduled to go to trial on his DUI charges at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 21 in Hall County.

Cobb County residents grill police over Flock camera privacy concerns

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:49:17 -0400

Cobb County police officers and representatives from Flock Safety met with local residents at a packed town hall meeting to address growing community privacy concerns and questions about automated surveillance technology.

Surveillance technology debated

Cobb County residents voiced strong concerns regarding government surveillance, data retention and privacy during a public town hall hosted by police and Flock Safety.

The Cobb County Police Department initially tested five Flock cameras in South Cobb in 2019, which Chief Dan Ferrell noted brought a dramatic drop in local crime.

The system has expanded to 182 cameras across the county, generating about 2,000 monthly alerts for things like stolen vehicles, missing persons, wanted suspects with active warrants.

Ferrell stated that annual audits showed no Cobb Police officers misusing the camera system.

However, in light of nationwide concerns, the department is shifting to monthly public audits and updating its policy based on feedback from community town halls.

Residents questioned if officers use warrants to access data and asked how long information remains stored.

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Future community meetings

Officials have not yet confirmed specific wording changes for the updated department policy.

Residents will have additional opportunities to raise questions, with two more town hall sessions scheduled, including one Tuesday night in Powder Springs.

Is ‘De-Flock America’ on Halloween real or just social media hype?

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:48:06 -0400

A provocative idea spreading across social media is calling for people to target Flock Safety license plate-reading cameras on Halloween night, when millions of Americans will already be outside wearing costumes and masks.

Dubbed "De-Flock America," some posts encourage people to disable, cover or destroy the cameras Oct. 31.

But despite claims that a national event is taking shape, there is little evidence so far of a coordinated campaign.

An examination of the online activity by Cybernews found only a relatively small number of posts explicitly promoting Halloween action, compared with a much larger wave of posts discussing and reporting on the supposed event. There is no known national organizer, official event or reliable estimate of how many people intend to participate.

Where did the Halloween idea come from?

The earliest Halloween-related posts identified in the material reviewed appeared Aug. 7 in a Facebook group called DeFlock America. Some suggested using Halloween masks and crowds to conceal the identities of people targeting cameras. The idea subsequently spread to X, Threads and Reddit and was amplified by larger social media accounts.

Map: Flock cameras targeted by vandals across US

That online campaign is separate from an established open-source project called DeFlock, which maps automated license plate readers and has promoted public meetings, records requests and other legal forms of opposition to the technology.

What are Flock cameras?

Atlanta-based Flock Safety was founded in 2017 and has grown into one of the country's largest providers of automated license plate readers.

The cameras photograph vehicles as they pass and record license plates and vehicle characteristics. Police can search that information during investigations or receive alerts for vehicles connected to criminal cases.

Law enforcement agencies credit the technology with helping find stolen vehicles, wanted suspects and missing people.

Privacy advocates, however, have questioned how extensively vehicle movements can be tracked, who has access to the information and whether searches receive adequate oversight.

Flock says its license plate readers do not use facial recognition. The company has also announced additional safeguards, including reducing its recommended default data retention period from 30 days to seven days and adding measures intended to identify improper searches.

Flock controversy reaches Georgia

The debate has particular significance in Georgia, where Flock is headquartered and its cameras are widely used.

Georgia has seen both vandalism targeting the cameras and investigations into alleged misuse by law enforcement employees.

Three Flock cameras were vandalized in Barrow County in July, according to the sheriff's office.

In Savannah, four former police department employees were arrested in August following an investigation into alleged misuse of license plate reader data. Other investigations have involved law enforcement employees in communities including Alpharetta, Albany, Sandy Springs, Fayetteville, Cherokee County and DeKalb County.

The allegations vary by case and do not mean the Flock system itself was illegally operated. Instead, several cases have focused on whether individual users accessed information for unauthorized purposes.

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Police are watching anti-Flock activity

Law enforcement agencies around the country are already aware of growing opposition to automated license plate readers.

Intelligence bulletins circulated this summer have advised agencies to watch for vandalism and other attempts to interfere with cameras. At least one bulletin also acknowledged concerns about distinguishing peaceful political opposition from people advocating property destruction.

Damaging, stealing or interferring (putting up a physical blocker of some sort) with a Flock camera can result in criminal charges. People have already been arrested in several states in connection with camera vandalism unrelated to the Halloween campaign.

Real event or social media hype?

For now, "De-Flock America" appears to fall somewhere between a viral social media slogan and a loosely organized call to action.

FOX 5 Atlanta also found no evidence of a national organization coordinating participants, locations or activities for Oct. 31. There is also no reliable way to determine how many people posting or sharing the idea actually intend to act on it.

What is clear is that the Halloween posts have attached themselves to a much larger and very real debate over automated surveillance.

That debate is already playing out in Georgia and across the country through arrests, investigations, public meetings and decisions by local governments over whether to continue using the technology.

Whether the online attention translates into widespread activity on Halloween remains to be seen.

Flock Safety says its technology supported more than 1 million criminal investigations and incidents in 2025.

According to the company's 2025 Impact Census, Flock technology assisted in about 20% of solved cases in jurisdictions using the system and helped law enforcement locate more than 10,000 missing people. About 42% of surveyed customers said Flock was involved in recovering at least half of the stolen vehicles in their jurisdictions.

Flock town hall meetings being held this week in Cobb County

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:18:06 -0400

Cobb County residents concerned about the use of Flock surveillance cameras in their neighborhoods will have an opportunity to make their voices heard during a series of upcoming town hall meetings.

The first meeting will be held Monday at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center on Lower Roswell Road in Marietta.

A second session is scheduled for Tuesday at the West Cobb Senior Center in Powder Springs.

The final meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the North Cobb Senior Center in Acworth.

All three town halls are scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The meetings come amid discussion about the use of Flock cameras, which use automated license plate recognition technology. The sessions will give residents an opportunity to raise questions and concerns about the cameras and their use in Cobb County.

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