Lumpkin County sheriff reconsidering Flock camera use

Fox - 5 Atlanta
13 followers
Aug 22, 2026
New tonight, a sheriff in North Georgia is calling for change when it comes to
flock cameras. I've been growing pushback. Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy
Girard has called on state legislators to toughen regulations around that
technology. It comes as dozens of police officers nationwide have been
arrested for misusing flock in recent weeks. Fox has robbed. Arienzo is live
at G. B. I. Headquarters in Decatur tonight, Rob.
Hey there, guys. Good evening to you both. Well, just today, the G. B. I
announced the arrest of four officers in Savannah for misusing the flock
database. This comes as there's growing opposition across the country that
sheriff's agencies and other law enforcement agencies have to contend
with. Yes, it was to keep our kids safe. The backlash on social media to this
video has led the Lumpkin County Sheriff to rethink flock cameras. I do
understand now, after I've had, you know, a lot of phone calls, a lot of
emails. Sheriff Stacy Girard initially made that video after someone destroyed
a flock camera there. It was flooded with angry commenters, about 30,000 of
them who think the cameras violate privacy. Within the last few months,
dozens of officers across the country have been found abusing the data. The
sheriff made a follow up video days later, saying he now shares some of
their concerns. Where is the data store who can have access to the data? I
think we need laws that regulate that that shows where it stored that shows
who has access with the growing public pushback. Some agencies are rethinking
how they use flock in McDonough. The police chief says they've tightened
department policy regarding its use. Sheriff Girard wants lawmakers to get
involved. I'm looking for the legislators, the district attorneys,
you know, to get involved with this and mandates some some different training.
The sheriff says they've had flock cameras in Lumpkin County for about six
years now, and they've been critical to solving a lot of crime. Most recently,
it led to arrest connected to a drive by shooting in neighboring Hall County. In
my 38 years, this has been the best technology that has came along that has
that has helped with investigations.
But with more people worried they're being tracked by the private company's
database, the sheriff says something has to give at the end of the day. It's
technology. Good to where should be utilized with law enforcement or is it
not? And the decision needs to be made.
Hey, guys, just last week, flock, which is based here in Atlanta, announced a
set of reforms meant to address a lot of these concerns. But this comes as a
lot of communities across the country are canceling their flock contracts
altogether. That's latest from here. Live at the G. B. I. Headquarters
indicator Rob DiRienzo Fox five News, Rob. Thanks.
