ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers and law enforcement are partnering together to examine if changes are needed to license plate reader oversight.
The move comes after dozens of officers across the state have been arrested, fired, resigned or otherwise disciplined for misusing the technology.
“It is both wrong and unacceptable,” State Sen. John Albers, chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, said.
Albers says the group was formed by law enforcement. He says they will figure out whether changes to policy, technology or even state law are needed, and hope to have recommendations ready in time for the legislative session.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
According to Deflock, which tracks these license plate-reading cameras, the metro area has around 6,000 of them.
So far, 10 metro agencies and 17 agencies statewide have reported officers misusing these cameras. Overall, more than 40 individuals have been arrested, resigned, placed under investigation or otherwise disciplined.
However, Albers cautioned against a “knee-jerk” reaction. He says the technology helped find thousands of missing people and was a vital tool in helping track the midtown shooter from three years ago.
“Both of these things can be true: that people made mistakes and misused something, and it also can be an invaluable crime-fighting tool,” Albers said.
According to Albers, the task force includes members of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and lawmakers.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Georgia teen told investigators she planned a school shooting. Instead, she killed her mother
- Teachers questioned about walking out of superintendent’s speech
- ‘My son is only 13’: Mother blasts ‘Love & Hip Hop’ star charged with sex assault
Albers stopped short of saying whether or not new laws will be necessary.
He said no decisions have been made about whether new laws are necessary.
“We do not know at this time how we’re going to handle that through policies, procedures, technology changes or legislation,” Albers said. “We’re going to wait and have a thoughtful, smart process.”
Sen. Albers said the state already has laws on the misuse of the technology. He raised the possibility that stronger enforcement, rather than new legislation, could be part of the solution.
The task force has already begun meeting and is expected to continue its work in the coming months.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
