Should Cleveland police continue using Flock license plate readers? The Cleveland Community Police Committee is revisiting that question, and this time it’s asking for input from residents.
“Everything is on the table,” including restricting and even banning the controversial technology, said Commissioner Shandra Moriera-Benito.
License plate readers are cameras that capture images of every passing vehicle. The Cleveland Division of Police has 100 cameras, made by Flock Safety, in high-traffic areas around the city. The division used to share access to its stored images with law enforcement agencies nationwide but halted that sharing in July, amid growing community opposition that mirrors a nationwide backlash.
Cleveland Metropolitan School District recently opted not to renew its contract with Flock, citing privacy concerns and cost.
Suggested Reading
What police surveillance technology looks like in Cleveland
License plate readers are just one of the surveillance tools Cleveland police are using across the city.
In the summer, City Council agreed to extend Cleveland’s contract with Flock for six months but also demanded that the city seek proposals from other license plate reader manufacturers.
Police and prosecutors have argued license plate readers help find missing people, recover stolen cars and identify — or rule out — suspects.
Cleveland officials have pointed to homicide investigations aided by the cameras, but they have not established how many crimes have been solved because of them. Critics argue that photographing every passing vehicle lets police track people who aren’t suspected of wrongdoing, creating risks of misuse or access by immigration authorities.
The commission, the final authority on police policies, approved a license plate reader policy in 2025. But at its September meeting, the commission passed a resolution ordering the police division to stop using the cameras on Jan. 1 while it determines whether and how to update the rules.
The commission launched an online survey and will hold two focus groups with residents on Saturday, Nov. 14, on the East Side (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and West Side (3 to 4 p.m.), locations to be determined. To apply to attend one, send an email to clecpc@clevelandohio.gov by Nov. 5.
Leaders of community groups are welcome to submit statements to the same email address by Nov. 16. That’s also the deadline to complete the online survey.
The commission also plans to meet with technology experts, the Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs Association and local and state elected officials before drafting a new license plate reader policy. More information about the commission’s plan is available on its web site.
Suggested Reading
CMSD Flock audit shows 130,000 outside law enforcement searches largely unexamined
The district shut off access to law enforcement agencies outside of CMSD and Cleveland police only after audit was underway.
Police commission wants to halt Flock use if new policy not in place Jan. 1
The city didn’t say whether it believes the commission can enforce the moratorium, which would last until a public input process is complete.
