Georgia man who set 3 Flock cameras ablaze is tracked down by same ALPR system
One of the cameras was found completely melted.
Image by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group via Getty Images
- A Georgia man is accused of setting fire to three Flock cameras and damaging another in Cobb County.
- Investigators used Flock's license plate reader system to track a Volkswagen linked to the suspect.
- He now faces felony counts for property damage, arson, reckless conduct, and interference with government property.
- Flock faces privacy backlash, with cameras vandalized in at least 36 states and some cities canceling them.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
A Georgia man faces multiple felony charges for allegedly shooting flaming projectiles at Flock Safety’s automated license plate readers (ALPR).
Cobb County police arrested 25-year-old Colby Williams of McDonough in the morning of September 3rd, 2026, after 3 Flock cameras were set on fire days earlier, according to Fox 5.
One of the cameras, located at East Cobb Park, was found completely melted.
The pole had a “DeFlock” sticker attached, referring to the anti-surveillance movement targeting the increasingly controversial Flock Safety ALPR system.
Three additional Flock cameras were targeted at a Home Depot, located just a mile and a half away. Two flared up, while 2 bullet holes were discovered on a third one.
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Using the same Flock ALPR system, investigators tracked a 2013 gray Volkswagen captured on the camera, which helped to locate Williams.
Williams was charged with 4 counts of criminal damage to property, 4 counts of arson, and reckless conduct and interference with government property.
It remains unclear what type of projectile was used against the cameras.
Why are Flock cameras being targeted?
The Flock ALPR system, which consists of over 120,000 cameras installed across 49 states, has been under scrutiny for privacy concerns and allegations of misuse.
Unlike typical license plate readers, Flock cameras record and track every car that comes into view, capturing even small details like bumper stickers and scratches, which are cataloged by an AI algorithm and uploaded to a nationwide database.
Any law enforcement agency that uses Flock can then search the database without a warrant.
Flock Safety and law enforcement agencies say Flock helps solve crimes faster and more effectively.
However, a recent YouGov survey, shared exclusively with The Washington Post, suggests that 46% of Americans oppose Flock’s surveillance cameras in their communities, compared with 38% who support them.
Growing backlash against Flock resulted in its cameras being vandalized in at least 36 states, with 50 cities and counties canceling or deactivating them, according to ABC News.
The opposition to Flock may be partly explained by an increasing number of reports of police officers misusing the system.
A recent Washington Post investigation reveals that at least 46 officers were accused of using the Flock system to stalk women whom they are interested in romantically.