MADISON COUNTY, Ga. — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office says it has ended its relationship with Flock Safety and is no longer using the company’s license plate reader camera system.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office said it stopped using the system in September after several years, concluding that while Flock can be a useful investigative tool, the benefits did not justify the cost.
“After using the system for a couple of years, we have decided that while FLOCK is a potentially useful investigative tool, the benefits are simply not worth the financial cost,” the agency said.
The sheriff’s office said the cameras remain physically installed for now, but they are not operational and are not photographing vehicles. Officials said the cameras are expected to be removed in the coming weeks.
The decision comes as Flock cameras have become increasingly common across Georgia, while also drawing criticism from some residents and privacy advocates.
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Channel 2 Action News previously reported on both the rapid expansion of the camera network and concerns about how the technology is used.
The company’s cameras are designed to capture vehicle information and help law enforcement agencies investigate crimes by identifying vehicles tied to wanted suspects, stolen vehicles and other criminal activity. However, critics have raised concerns about privacy, data collection and oversight.
Channel 2 Action News has also reported on allegations of misuse involving Flock camera systems. Earlier this year, a sheriff’s office changed its policies after another deputy was accused of improperly accessing camera data.
Madison County officials did not cite privacy concerns in their announcement, instead saying the system’s costs outweighed its benefits.
Despite the cameras still being visible around the county, the sheriff’s office said they are inactive and no longer collecting vehicle information.
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