Flock founder says technology would have helped find Nancy Guthrie

August 16, 2026 - 04:45

Guthrie, 60, vanished after leaving her home in rural Habersham County. Investigators searched for months without a clear break. Her body was discovered in February, and authorities have since charged a suspect. Langley said that if Flock cameras had been installed in the area, they would have captured the suspect's vehicle and given detectives a starting point. He pointed to similar cases where the company's data helped solve kidnappings and missing person investigations.

But his remarks have reignited a long-running debate over privacy. Civil liberties groups say the cameras, which record every passing license plate, create a permanent database of innocent people's movements. Some local governments have banned the devices, while others have expanded their use. Langley acknowledged those concerns but argued that the public safety benefit outweighs the risks. He said the company does not use facial recognition and stores data for only 30 days unless it is part of an active investigation.

The Guthrie case remains under investigation, and no trial date has been set for the suspect. Langley said he hopes the case serves as a reminder that technology is not a replacement for good police work, but a tool that can make it faster and more effective.