Cities across the United States are taking divergent approaches to automated license plate reader technology provided by Flock Safety, with some municipalities cutting ties while others expand their surveillance programs.

In Dunwoody, Georgia, residents have spent two months demanding an end to the city's contract with the Atlanta-area security firm during city council meetings. The affluent suburb in the region's technology corridor has become a focal point for debates over the company's license plate reading cameras.

Flock Safety, a Georgia-based company that provides automated license plate reader systems to law enforcement agencies, has faced similar protests from communities spanning California to New York. The cameras capture and store license plate data that can be used by police departments for investigations and public safety purposes.

The resistance reflects broader privacy concerns about automated surveillance technology in public spaces. Critics characterize the systems as intrusive monitoring tools, while supporters argue they provide valuable law enforcement capabilities for tracking stolen vehicles and investigating crimes.

Despite the pushback in some areas, other cities continue to sign new contracts with Flock Safety, indicating mixed reception for the technology among local governments. Many municipalities remain undecided as they weigh public safety benefits against privacy considerations and community concerns about surveillance.