Activists call on city of Cleveland to end Flock Safety camera contract as lawmakers consider extension
Publish Date: 2026-05-20 17:41:00
Source Domain: www.wkyc.com
Cleveland’s ‘Flock No’ campaign is urging city leaders to end a license plate reader contract over privacy concerns, even as lawmakers consider an extension.
CLEVELAND — The resident-led campaign “Flock No” on Wednesday called on Cleveland city leaders to not renew the city’s Flock Safety automatic license plate reader contract.
“Our communities deserve safety rooted in trust and investment, not fear, surveillance, and criminalization,” said Rebecca Garcia with Flock No.
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The group claimed the system raises serious concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and impacts on immigrant communities.
“Mass surveillance is a fundamental element of authoritarianism,” Bryn Adams stated. “Constant observation is the enemy of democracy.”
Cleveland currently has 100 Flock cameras installed across the city. According to the company, the automatic license plate readers capture images of passing vehicles, building a searchable database police can use to track where and when a vehicle was seen.
The city’s contract with Flock is set to expire at the end of June. On Monday, Mayor Justin Bibb sent a letter to Council President Blaine Griffin and Public Safety Committee Chair Michael Polensek, saying city…
