Behind the Flock investigation that led to a Sarasota cop's arrest | Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026 | 6–7 p.m. | Virtual

What happens when technology designed to help police solve crimes is used to track someone for personal reasons, and the agencies responsible for overseeing it don’t notice?

Join Suncoast Searchlight Executive Editor-in-Chief Emily Le Coz and USA TODAY investigative reporter Kenny Jacoby for a virtual conversation about a nationwide investigation into the use of Flock automated license plate readers.

USA TODAY reporters analyzed more than 75 million Flock searches from thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country, uncovering patterns of potentially improper use that led to investigations, disciplinary actions and arrests. One of those cases was here in Sarasota, where a police officer was accused of repeatedly using the system to track his former partner.

Kenny will take us behind the reporting: how journalists obtained and analyzed the records, what they discovered, why many agencies had not identified the activity themselves and how changes to Flock’s system may make similar public scrutiny more difficult in the future.

Emily and Kenny will also talk about the role local and national journalism can play in holding powerful technologies and the institutions that use them accountable.

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2026
Virtual event

Audience questions are encouraged. Attendees will have an opportunity to submit questions in advance and during the conversation.