safety
DeKalb County deputy fired, arrested for allegedly misusing license plate readers
By Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 18, 2026
· 1 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A DeKalb County deputy has been fired and arrested, accused of illegally accessing the county’s Flock camera license plate reader database, according to a press release.Sgt. Kabiru Salawu has been charged with violation of oath of office and misuse of license p...
Key takeaway (Atlanta News First) - A DeKalb County deputy has been fired and arrested, accused of illegally accessing the county’s Flock camera license plate reader database, according to a press release.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The recent arrest of a DeKalb County deputy for misusing license plate readers raises concerns about the potential for abuse of surveillance technology in local law enforcement. This incident is part of a larger pattern in north Georgia, where several officers have been accused of searching through license plate systems for personal reasons. The fact that Flock camera data is shared with hundreds of external agencies and can be retained for 30 days adds to the concern about privacy invasion. As the use of Flock cameras continues to expand in the Atlanta area, residents should be aware of how their personal information is being collected and used. The vandalism of Flock cameras in Barrow County earlier this month also suggests that there is growing public unease about the presence of these cameras in local communities. As the city considers the role of surveillance technology in public safety, it must also address the need for safeguards to prevent misuse and protect individual privacy.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A DeKalb County deputy has been fired and arrested, accused of illegally accessing the county’s Flock camera license plate reader database, according to a press release.Sgt. Kabiru Salawu has been charged with violation of oath of office and misuse of license p...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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