SMYRNA, Georgia — Mayor Derek Norton defended Smyrna’s use of Flock cameras during the Aug. 3 City Council meeting, saying officials carefully considered the system and remain confident it has made the city safer.
Norton acknowledged reports of law enforcement personnel elsewhere misusing similar technology but said Smyrna has internal controls intended to prevent abuse.
“If you’re not doing anything wrong, you don’t have anything to worry about,” Norton said.
He said Smyrna Police Chief Keith Zgonc fully supports the system and considers it a “force multiplier” that helps officers use their resources more effectively.
Norton said the city made a significant investment in the technology after studying how other communities had implemented similar systems and addressed potential problems.
He also rejected claims that information collected through the cameras is being used for purposes unrelated to law enforcement.
The data “is kept by our law enforcement; it is not used for non-law enforcement reasons,” Norton said.
Norton said he remains confident in the technology and the city’s safeguards despite continuing public discussion about privacy, oversight and potential misuse.
“I am confident in the technology. I am confident that we have made the citizens of Smyrna safer, and I stick by our decision,” Norton said.
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