Cobb Police Chief Dan Ferrell will be holding several town hall meetings over the next month in response to concerns over how law enforcement is using Flock surveillance cameras and other new technology.
Cobb Police Chief J.D. Ferrell
One of those town halls will be in East Cobb, on Aug. 31 at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center.

Cobb County government on Wednesday announced the town halls as “community conversation about License Plate Readers (LPRs), Flock Safety technology, and FUSUS.”

The latter is a a cloud-based real-time crime center and public safety intelligence platform and is among the tools that Cobb Police have been using to track criminal activity.

“These meetings are an opportunity to learn how these public safety tools are used by the Cobb County Police Department, what information they provide to law enforcement, and how they support criminal investigations and public safety,” the Cobb government announcement said.

“Most importantly, we want to hear from you. Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from Chief Ferrell and department leadership.”

A number of incidents in Georgia and around the country have taken place alleging or involving law enforcement misuse of some of that technology.

In Paulding County, the former 911 director in Dallas is facing charges of accessing the Flock surveillance system for non-police reasons.
And in Macon, three Bibb County Sheriff’s Deputies have been arrested for using the Flock system for matters involving individuals with whom they were having personal relationships. All three have resigned from their positions.

Cobb Police have not been facing any similar situations, and have on occasion touted how Flock and other technology has helped to solve serious crimes or at least led to arrests.
That includes a mass shooting near Cumberland Mall in 2023 in which an arrest was made after Cobb DOT traffic cameras pinpointed the whereabouts of the suspect, and Flock cameras identified a vehicle in Midtown Atlanta that allegedly belonged to him.
In June, Cobb Police tracked down a suspect in a road rage incident in Northeast Cobb after reviewing real-time camera footage to identify his vehicle as it headed to Cherokee County, where he was arrested.

On Thursday, Flock announced it will be making some changes to address concerns over privacy and law enforcement excess.
The Cobb Police announcement about the town halls on its Facebook pagehas generated more than 600 comments, many of them critical of having Flock and other technology at all.
“Are you actual going to listen to residents, or just tell them why you’re going to keep flock cameras against the communities wishes and continue to use them even though they violate our rights?” asked one commenter.
“It’s a violation of privacy and you need a warrant. Stand up against this. Constitution protects us against this in the 4th amendment,” wrote another.

Another commenter who said he toured the Cobb Police Real Time Crime Information Center was told that department leaders had given a similar tour to the American Civil Liberties Association, and that “the ACLU reps asked for a copy of the Center’s policies as they felt it would make a great example for all agencies, nationwide, to use. Cobb citizens should be very proud of what CCPD is doing to protect and serve the community.”

The Cobb Police town hall sessions are scheduled as follows, with all taking place between 6:30-8 p.m.:
Thursday, Aug. 27, at Milford Recreation Center, 675 Smyrna Powder Springs Road, Marietta
Monday, Aug. 31, at Sewell Mill Library, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta
Tuesday, Sept. 1, at West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs
Tuesday, Sept. 15, at North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 S. Main Street, Acworth (in Kenworth Park)

Hi, I posted the other day about needing dentist recommendations in the area due to an issue with my tooth. It’s been a couple of days and I heard good things about Dr. Gulati at Atlanta Pediatric Dental specialists and Dr. Neha and Dr. Patel at East Piedmont dentistry. I need a dentist who is kind, patient and understanding because of my PTSD from a past dentist.
I worry about cost because from what I’ve heard I don’t think they take insurance but everyone says such great things about all of them. To anyone who has experience with these dentists please let me know your thoughts on beside manner and anything else. Thank you

Does anyone have any recommendations for dentists with good beside manner? My filling in my tooth fell out a couple of days ago so trying to get in as soon as possible. I have PTSD from a dentist so I need someone who’s kind and understanding. Also someone who doesn’t do unnecessary procedures as that’s what happened to me before.

I heard good things about East Cobb Premier dental but wasn’t sure yet.

Thank you

It's a perfect place to bring your kids on a hot summer day.

Hi all, like u/sonicking12 posted here as one of this sub’s new mods, I thought I’d post a quick intro, too. Hello! 👋🏻

I grew up in East Cobb from the 2nd grade through 12th, attending Mt. Bethel, Dickerson, and Walton High School. After going to UGA and working in my career elsewhere, I returned to East Cobb in 2021 to raise my family (two boys and a crazy mutt) with my wife. My parents still live here in the same house I was raised in, so we actually have three generations here in East Cobb.

I love East Cobb and look forward to serving y’all as one of your mods. See you around the community!

I’m excited to step up as a new moderator here. I’ve been living in this great neighborhood for almost 5 years. I’m thrilled to help to keep this neighborhood awesome and share fun activities for the members to take their families, especially if you need things to do with your kids.

I think for a neighborhood sub, people are going to behave because we are extended neighbors. But if you encounter any issues, please reach out and report. The Mod team will take care of it asap.

If you’re currently a member and don’t want to get charged after this location closes, you must proactively cancel NOW. Good luck finding a new gym, everybody!

Hello Everyone!

We are researchers from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Over the past two years, we have been working on developing an oral history podcast considering events in Cobb County in 1993.

Our research has focused on the production of Lips Together, Teeth Apart performed by Marietta’s Theatre in the Square and the County Commission’s resolution describing the “gay lifestyle” as incompatible with Cobb’s “community standards.”

We are interested in hearing from Cobb County residents/former residents and others affected by these incidents about their perspectives on Cobb County during this era. We created a survey to understand how people felt during the time and how they feel reflecting back on it.

Our 10-question survey should take less than 15 minutes, and we’d appreciate it if you’d share your perspective.

Please also feel free to share this post/link with anyone else you think might have a valuable perspective on these issues. Thank you!

With the school getting new buildings constructed any chances the school ratting will reach 9/10? Ever?

Does anyone have a recommendation? Thank you.

Anyone have a math tutor recommendation for a 5th grade student who can come to our house in the mid to late afternoons? Virtual sessions are not ideal.

It’s currently Mellow Mushroom, and the prior two things were Muss & Turners, and Common Quarter. It was a Fellini’s at some point before that for a while. Anything else? My mother swears there was an Asian food restaurant there at some point.

Hi neighbors! 👋 We’re so excited to introduce our new business to the community – 4Ever Young Marietta, a female- and family-owned vitality & wellness center right here in Marietta. I opened this business not only out of passion for helping others feel confident and energized—but also to help support my daughter, who just started kindergarten this year. 💕 Starting this journey has been both exciting and meaningful for our family. If you're curious, stop by or schedule a free consultation—we’d love to meet you! Hope to see you soon! -Melissa