Atlanta flags 79 search patterns in audit of 115,578 Flock queries; mayor plans oversight bill

Event: September 15, 2026 · First reported: September 15, 2026 · 2 sources

The Atlanta Police Department reviewed 115,578 Flock license plate reader searches conducted this year and flagged 79 search patterns \u2014 about 0.07% \u2014 for further internal investigation into whether officers followed department policy and training. The city said a flagged search does not itself indicate a violation, and Chief Darin Schierbaum said the review should be finished within 60 days, with any discipline decided afterward. Mayor Andre Dickens, who ordered the audit, plans to introduce citywide surveillance technology legislation at the City Council's Sept. 21 meeting.

Why this matters

Atlanta's proposal would move license plate reader rules from internal police policy into city law, a distinction the ACLU of Georgia has argued is essential because departmental policies can be reversed by later administrations.

Key facts

APD flagged 79 of 115,578 Flock searches (roughly 0.07%) for additional internal review; the city stressed flagging is not a finding of misconduct.
APD already revised its license plate recognition policy, adding monthly audits, updated training, clearer prohibited uses, and restrictions on outside-agency and retired reserve officer access.
The proposed ordinance would require written use policies, data retention and sharing rules, monthly internal audits and quarterly public reporting for high-risk systems, annual independent compliance reviews, a public technology inventory, and vendor contract terms matching city standards.
The bill would bar discriminatory or viewpoint-based use and personal or commercial use of city systems and data; temporary emergency deployments could not become permanent without further authorization.
The administration is seeking a council work session and public hearing, with a goal of a final vote within 60 days of introduction; the measure is a proposal and has not been enacted.
Christopher Bruce of the ACLU of Georgia called Atlanta the most surveilled U.S. city and said advocates want council approval and public hearings required before new surveillance tech is deployed.

Timeline

September 15, 2026Atlanta police audits 79 flagged Flock search patterns
September 15, 2026Flock audit finds dozens of questionable searches by Atlanta police officers

Sources

This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.

Atlanta police audits 79 flagged Flock search patterns (FOX 5 Atlanta, September 15, 2026)
Flock audit finds dozens of questionable searches by Atlanta police officers (AJC.com, September 15, 2026)

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BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.

Updated September 23, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.