DeKalb County leaders reject independent Flock oversight resolution

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — DeKalb County officials voted Tuesday against a proposal to add independent oversight of Flock surveillance technology. The proposal by Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry called for independent civilian oversight and auditing of the county’s police surveillance network. With no federal oversight in place, some officials worry about abuses of the Flock system. A growing number of police officers around Georgia have been fired, arrested or removed from duty over allegations they misused the Flock Safety license plate reader (LPR) database for personal reasons, including accusations of tracking romantic partners and acquaintances. RELATED: AI audit tool flags suspicious police searches as Flock misuse cases mount in Georgia The vote comes amid mounting scrutiny over how law enforcement officers across Georgia use automated license plate readers. An Atlanta News First investigation previously uncovered at least 19 cases in a single year where Georgia officers faced disciplinary action or criminal charges for abusing Flock Safety’s database to run improper personal searches, including tracking ex-partners. That reporting helped spark a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing in September examining civil liberties violations and transparency blind spots in nationwide surveillance networks. While Flock maintains that every search is logged and audited, public records advocates have raised alarms after the company altered its audit logs to remove officer names and strip license plate numbers from search histories, complicating victims’ efforts to confirm when their vehicles were searched. Backlash has also reached city halls and residential neighborhoods. As homeowners associations and local leaders question the balance between community safety and personal privacy, investigative reports revealed several local agencies installed cameras without explicit city council approval. To date, more than 250 municipalities across the country have moved to terminate or pause their contracts with the surveillance provider. In July, Barrow County authorities responded after vandals damaged multiple Flock cameras , including cutting down a solar power panel. Download our Atlanta News First app for your latest news and information. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.