License plate readers and other public safety cameras can help police investigate crimes and locate vehicles connected to criminal activity. But their use also raises an important question: What safeguards are in place to make sure the technology is used appropriately?
Mayor Andre Dickens is proposing legislation that would establish permanent, citywide standards for how the City of Atlanta uses and oversees public safety camera technology.
The legislation is expected to be introduced at the September 21 Atlanta City Council meeting, followed by a requested Council work session and public hearing.
“Technology that gives government extraordinary capabilities must come with extraordinary accountability,” said Mayor Dickens. “Public safety is not a blank check, and neither is privacy an excuse to deny law enforcement tools that can help save lives and solve crimes. Atlanta will have both: effective public safety technology governed by clear rules, meaningful oversight and consequences when those rules are violated.”
Why This Is Happening Now
The proposal comes as the Atlanta Police Department continues reviewing the use of its Flock license plate reader system.
At Mayor Dickens’ request, APD audited 115,578 searches conducted this year. Approximately 0.07 percent were flagged for additional investigation to determine whether they complied with policy and training requirements. A flagged search does not mean a violation occurred.
Chief Darin Schierbaum expects that investigation to be completed within 60 days.
APD has already updated its policy, including clearer rules for authorized use, stronger privacy protections, monthly audits, updated training and tighter controls on access.
“Transparency, accountability and public trust remain central to this process,” said Chief Schierbaum.
What Would Change
The proposed legislation would take those efforts further by creating permanent standards across City government.
For residents, that means clearer rules around:
- Who can access public safety technology and for what purposes
- How data can be collected, stored, shared and deleted
- Monthly audits and public reporting
- Annual independent reviews of high-risk technology
- Privacy and security requirements for vendors
- Review before new high-risk technology is deployed
- A public inventory of covered City technologies
The legislation would also prohibit discriminatory, personal, commercial or other unauthorized uses of City technology and data.
“Public safety and personal privacy are not competing values,” said Chief Operating Officer LaChandra Burks. “Atlanta can protect both.”
What Happens Next
Following introduction on September 21, the Administration will ask City Council to hold a work session and public hearing before the legislation moves through the committee process. The goal is final Council consideration within 60 days.
The separate APD investigation into the searches flagged during its audit will continue during that time.
