Documented Incident
Atlanta mayor to propose permanent citywide ALPR rules as APD reviews flagged Flock searches
Event: September 15, 2026 · First reported: September 15, 2026 · 5 sources
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens plans to introduce legislation at the City Council's Sept. 21 meeting that would establish permanent citywide standards for public safety cameras and license plate readers. The proposal follows an Atlanta Police Department audit of 115,578 Flock searches conducted this year, of which roughly 0.07% were flagged for further review to determine whether department policy or training requirements were violated. APD has said a flagged search is not a confirmed violation, and Chief Darin Schierbaum said he expects the review to conclude within about 60 days, with any disciplinary or administrative action decided afterward. The measure has not been enacted; the administration plans to seek a council work session and public hearing before committee consideration.
Atlanta would be among the larger U.S. cities to codify audit, reporting and contracting requirements for ALPR systems rather than leaving governance to internal department policy, offering other councils a concrete template. The pairing of proposed rules with an ongoing internal investigation also tests whether audit findings translate into enforceable consequences.
Key facts
- Legislation is expected to be introduced at the Atlanta City Council meeting on Sept. 21; it has not yet been adopted.
- APD audited 115,578 Flock license plate reader searches this year and flagged about 0.07% for additional investigation.
- The proposal would require written usage rules, monthly internal audits of high-risk systems, quarterly public reports, annual independent compliance reviews, and a public technology inventory with sensitive details withheld.
- Vendor contracts, including with Flock, would have to meet city privacy, security, access and data-sharing standards, and discriminatory, personal, commercial and other unauthorized uses would be prohibited.
- APD has separately revised its license plate recognition policy, adding restrictions on outside agencies, monthly audits, updated training and limits on retired reserve accounts.
- CBS News Atlanta reports it has tracked more than 45 Georgia law enforcement officers and officials fired, resigned or under investigation in cases involving alleged Flock misuse since early August.
Timeline
- September 15, 2026Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to propose citywide Flock camera rules as APD investigates flagged searches
- September 20, 2026Atlanta City Council to discuss Flock Safety limits pitched by mayor
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to propose citywide Flock camera rules as APD investigates flagged searches (CBS News, September 15, 2026)
- Atlanta mayor to introduce citywide surveillance rules after audit flags 79 APD Flock camera searches (Atlanta News First, September 15, 2026)
- Atlanta mayor proposes surveillance oversight rules after 79 Flock searches flagged (WRDW, September 15, 2026)
- Atlanta City Council to discuss Flock Safety limits pitched by mayor (Wsb-tv Channel 2 - Atlanta, September 20, 2026)
- Atlanta City Council to discuss Flock Safety limits pitched by mayor (Yahoo, September 20, 2026)
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About this record
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.