Buddy Carter says license plate cameras help investigators but need privacy safeguards
Earl L. "Buddy" CarterU.S. representative for Georgia's 1st district, in an emailed statement from his office
Rep. Buddy Carter of Georgia said in a statement sent by his office that license plate recognition cameras such as Flock's "can provide valuable investigative tools" but have "raised important questions about privacy and government oversight." He said that as the systems spread, it is important to balance public safety with "appropriate safeguards that protect individual privacy."
“Technologies like license plate recognition cameras can provide valuable investigative tools, but they have also raised important questions about privacy and government oversight. As these systems become more common, it is important to balance public safety with appropriate safeguards that protect individual privacy.”
Emailed statement
Read the full email
Flock Safety cameras are license plate recognition cameras used by state and local law enforcement agencies to assist in criminal investigations. Unlike traditional traffic cameras, these systems capture license plate information, along with a vehicle's make, model, color, and the time and location where it was observed. Many communities use this technology to help locate stolen vehicles, identify suspects, and investigate serious crimes. In Georgia's First Congressional District, law enforcement agencies work hard every day to keep our communities safe. Technologies like license plate recognition cameras can provide valuable investigative tools, but they have also raised important questions about privacy and government oversight. As these systems become more common, it is important to balance public safety with appropriate safeguards that protect individual privacy.
Where this statement fits
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Networked automated license-plate readers record passing vehicles and let agencies search or share travel records across locations. Candidates and officials disagree over whether to prohibit these networks, keep them with legal limits, or defend their use for investigations. This tracker records attributable positions on that choice, including proposals that would affect only public funding or data access.
Source and context
Emailed statement
Emailed statement from Rep. Buddy Carter's office to Dispute Index on license plate readers
Flock Safety cameras are license plate recognition cameras used by state and local law enforcement agencies to assist in criminal investigations. Unlike traditional traffic cameras, these systems capture license plate information, along with a vehicle's make, model, color, and the time and location where it was observed. Many communities use this technology to help locate stolen vehicles, identify suspects, and investigate serious crimes. In Georgia's First Congressional District, law enforcement agencies work hard every day to keep our communities safe. Technologies like license plate recognition cameras can provide valuable investigative tools, but they have also raised important questions about privacy and government oversight. As these systems become more common, it is important to balance public safety with appropriate safeguards that protect individual privacy.
About this source
Communications Director Preston McGee sent this statement by email as Rep. Buddy Carter's (R-GA) response, in reply to a Dispute Index request about license plate readers. The link is to the congressman's official website. The text is reproduced as sent, without the covering line.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Dispute Index asked Carter's office where he stands on Flock-style license plate cameras. His communications director replied with what he called the congressman's response and stance. It opens by describing Flock Safety cameras as license plate recognition cameras that record a vehicle's plate, make, model and color with the time and place it was seen, and says many communities use them to locate stolen vehicles, identify suspects and investigate serious crimes. It then says law enforcement agencies in Georgia's 1st district "work hard every day to keep our communities safe."
After the quotation
The statement ends with these sentences and names no specific safeguard.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. Carter calls the cameras valuable investigative tools and does not call for ending or restricting them, but says their spread has raised questions about privacy and oversight and that public safety should be balanced with safeguards that protect privacy. Backing continued use with general safeguards fits Mixed or conditional.
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- Buddy Carter says license plate cameras help investigators but need privacy safeguards
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The Dispute Index. "Buddy Carter says license plate cameras help investigators but need privacy safeguards". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/7068-rep-buddy-carter-of-georgia-said-in-a