Flock Cameras Once Again Spark Controversy As Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens Proposes Regulations: 79 Police Uses Of Technology Flagged For Deeper Review

Mayor Andre Dickens announced a sweeping proposal Monday to establish permanent, citywide surveillance regulations following a major audit of the Atlanta Police Department’s use of Flock Safety license plate readers.

The legislative push follows a department-wide review of 115,578 Flock search inquiries conducted so far this year. While the audit found that 99.93% of the searches complied with existing policies and training, investigators flagged 79 specific inquiries for potential policy deviations or unauthorized use. Those cases have now been handed over to APD’s Office of Professional Standards for a formal 60-day internal investigation.

Codifying Safeguards Into Law

The proposed ordinance, which will be introduced to the Atlanta City Council on September 21, 2026, aims to transform internal police guidelines into legally binding municipal codes that apply across all city agencies.

“Technology that gives government extraordinary capabilities must come with extraordinary accountability,” Dickens said in a statement. “Atlanta will have both: effective public safety technology governed by clear rules, meaningful oversight and consequences when those rules are violated.”

If passed, the legislation will:

• Mandate strict accountability by codifying existing privacy rules into local law.
• Establish a public inventory of all covered surveillance technology used by the city, while keeping sensitive technical details secure.
• Prohibit unauthorized access, explicitly banning the personal, commercial, or discriminatory use of data systems.
• Enforce vendor compliance, requiring private contractors like Flock Safety to adhere strictly to the city’s data-sharing and security protocols.

Heightened Scrutiny Across Georgia

The audit was ordered by Mayor Dickens in August amid mounting pressure from privacy advocacy groups concerned about the rapid expansion of automated license plate readers. In response to initial concerns, APD had already tightened its internal guardrails by enacting mandatory monthly audits, restricting retired reserve accounts, and enhancing user training.

Atlanta’s legislative push comes amid a broader, statewide reckoning over surveillance technology. Since early August, a statewide investigation has revealed that more than 45 law enforcement officials across Georgia have faced termination, resignation, or criminal charges related to the alleged misuse of Flock databases.

In light of the widespread scrutiny, Atlanta-based Flock Safety recently updated its default system settings, shortening data retention from 30 days to seven days and mandating multi-factor authentication for all law enforcement personnel.

City officials expect the proposed ordinance to undergo committee review over the coming weeks before a final vote later this fall.