Flock Safety camerasare becoming a growing point of controversy across Georgia, with some residents questioning how the technology tracks vehicles and storeslicense plate data.
But some of the backlash has moved beyond public meetings and online criticism. Cameras have been spray-painted, damaged, turned away from roads and even removed from their mounting locations in several Georgia communities.
But is that illegal?
Flock camera vandalism is happening in Georgia
Officials in several Georgia communities have reported damage to Flock cameras.
In Decatur, police have dealt with multiple incidents involving the devices, including a pole being cut down with a Flock camera attached. Other cameras were reportedly spray-painted, turned away from roadways or stolen from their mounting locations.
Barrow
County and Lumpkin County have also reported vandalized or destroyed Flock cameras.
The incidents come as debate over the technology continues to grow throughout the state.
So, could damaging one be a felony?
Potentially, yes.
Georgia law makes it a crime to intentionally damage another person's property without consent when the circumstances meet the requirements for criminal damage to property.
According to FindLaw, criminal damage to property in the second degree applies when a person intentionally damages another person's property in an amount exceeding $500. It is a felony punishable by one to five years in prison.
That does not mean every act involving a Flock camera automatically results in a felony charge. The circumstances of the incident, the amount of damage and other facts would determine what charges prosecutors could pursue.
Georgia officials are already making arrests
In Barrow County, authorities arrested Andrew Lyle Morrison in connection with the vandalism of a Flock camera, according to local officials.
Lumpkin County officials also investigated the destruction of a Flock camera and offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Why are Georgians pushing back?
Flock Safety cameras use automated license plate recognition technology to capture information about vehicles passing through a camera's field of view.
Supporters say the systems can help police investigate crimes, locate stolen vehicles and identify vehicles connected to investigations.
Critics have raised concerns about privacy and the amount of information that can be collected about people's movements.
That debate has become even more complicated as Georgia law enforcement agencies have faced allegations involving improper access to Flock systems.
What is the charge when you destroy police property?
In Georgia, damaging or destroying property owned by the government can lead to a felony charge known as interference with government property.
Under Georgia Code § 16-7-24, a person commits the offense when they "destroy, damages, or defaces government property." A conviction can carry one to five years in prison.
Georgia courts have upheld convictions under the law for damaging police vehicles, including cases involving people who deliberately struck patrol cars or damaged them while in custody.
The law also requires the government to establish ownership of the property. That means whether the statute applies in a particular case can depend on who owns the damaged equipment.
Is a Flock camera police property?
Not necessarily.
Flock Safety cameras and license plate reader systems can be used by law enforcement agencies, but that does not automatically mean every camera is owned by the police or another government agency.
If a Flock camera is owned by a government agency, damaging or destroying it could potentially fall under Georgia's interference-with-government-property law. If it is privately owned, different property-damage laws could apply.
The specific charge would ultimately depend on the facts of the case, including who owns the camera, the type and extent of damage and what prosecutors can prove.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Is vandalizing a Flock camera a felony in Georgia? Here's what to know
