Earlier this month, Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley joined Jon Birdsong, CEO of South Downtown Atlanta, and Donnie Beamer Jr., Senior Technology Advisor for the City of Atlanta, to announce a significant step forward for community safety in South Downtown Atlanta. 

Flock's suite of technology—including license plate recognition (LPR) cameras, video surveillance, and audio detection—is being deployed throughout the historic 16-acre neighborhood, encompassing 56 buildings. In an area where safety is a top priority, this deployment comes at a critical time. 

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Atlanta's reputation as a growing startup hub is also tied to its ability to provide a secure environment, as noted by Donnie Beamer Jr., Senior Technology Advisor for the City of Atlanta. "If you want to attract and retain talent, safety is critical. Atlanta has the potential to become the biggest startup hub in America if we get this right," Beamer added.

Beamer also emphasized the impact Flock has already made, noting that "the Flock cameras integrated with the Atlanta Police Department have allowed us to respond to high-profile incidents in a way no one else could."

Echoing Beamer’s sentiment, Jon Birdsong, CEO of South Downtown Atlanta, underscored the critical role of safety in building a vibrant and livable community at the heart of the city. He emphasized that a strong downtown core is essential for the growth and prosperity of any major city, stating,“South Downtown is your downtown. Every great city in the world has a thriving downtown, and it’s Atlanta’s turn now.”

Aly Merritt, Managing Director of Atlanta Tech Village, highlighted the safety challenges facing the area, especially with major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon. The event is expected to bring 3.5 million visitors to Atlanta over 45 days, underscoring the need for proactive safety measures.

Stuart Jackson, a 24-year resident and business owner in South Downtown, expressed his excitement about the added security that Flock Safety’s technology will bring to the area.  ”That’s what  a community does—having eyes and ears and looking out for each other is what makes a neighborhood a home,” Jackson said, “We’re excited for Flock to be here.” 

As Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens often says, Atlanta is a group effort. The same is true for safety — it takes everyone in the community, from elected officials, law enforcement, neighborhood leaders, businesses, and residents, to build a safe, sustainable future together.

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Read More About Flock Safety + South Downtown Atlanta 

Fox 5 | South Downtown Atlanta now has AI-powered safety technology

Hypepotamus | Flock Safety Expands Its Reach to South Downtown, Atlanta’s Emerging Tech Hub

AJC | Criminals beware: Security cameras keep watch on Atlanta’s South Downtown

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