SANDY SPRINGS
CRIER
ELECTIONS GUIDE
Sandy Springs candidates offer views ► PAGE 4
O c t o b e r 1 6 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 4 , N o . 4 2
Officer resigns amid Flock misuse probe Investigation alleges subject tapped data for personal gain By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A Sandy Springs police officer has resigned after allegedly using the city's Flock camera network to help develop a surveillance product for a company where he works, according to interviews and documents obtained by Appen Media. Public records show Francis Michael Esposito had been with the Sandy Springs Police Department since 2016. According to an internal affairs report
and other materials obtained by Appen Media, he resigned in August amid a department investigation into his alleged use of city-leased software to help improve commercial data platform Signal 8. The Sandy Springs Police Department uses products from Flock Safety, an automated license plate reader and security software company based in Atlanta. The firm’s technology identifies and logs vehicles moving through town to assist police with criminal investigations. Flock users can perform searches of identifying information – such as license plate numbers or descriptions – to help locate vehicles they suspect are connected to criminal activity. When departments make these queries, they can search certain
databases of other agencies as well, tapping into a nationwide network of sources. The platform also allows agencies to set up lists of vehicles to monitor, getting alerts if they appear in the network. Flock says its system “is trusted by more than 5,000 communities across the country…” That figure includes all 10 of the cities and counties Appen Media covers in north Metro Atlanta. Esposito joined the Sandy Springs Police Department in 2016 and was promoted to sergeant in 2021, according to public records obtained by Appen Media.
See OFFICER, Page 2
Mayoral candidates spar during televised forum By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — Sandy Springs candidates fought through Buckhead traffic to reach WSBTV’s studios in Midtown to tape a mayoral forum focused on the key issues affecting the city’s more than 107,000 residents. WSB News anchor Linda Stouffer moderated the forum, which featured questions posed to candidates from Sandy Springs residents,
Rough Draft Atlanta reporters and from the mayoral hopefuls to one another. The taped Sandy Springs mayoral forum is available at wsbtv.com. Stouffer framed the key issues as centering around public safety, stalled redevelopments of commercial areas, transparent government and traffic congestion. Each candidate lobbed criticism at Paul and his 12-year tenure in office.
See FORUM, Page 21
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HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
From left, Sandy Springs mayoral candidates, City Councilman Andy Bauman, the 2021 runner-up Dontaye Carter, City Councilwoman Jody Reichel and incumbent Mayor Rusty Paul participate in a forum Oct. 8 to discuss key issues affecting residents at WSB-TV studios in midtown Atlanta.