Resistance is forming to Cleveland’s proposed $2 million contract with Flock Safety for a surveillance system that links cameras, license plate readers and gunshot detectors. 

Flock skeptics circulated a letter warning that the technology could be misused. The catchphrase for their effort: “Flock No.” The letter is addressed to Bibb, Council President Blaine Griffin and Safety Committee Chair Michael Polensek. 

“We are witnessing authoritarian overreach in the federal government and increasingly unchecked power particularly in the tech sector,” the letter reads. “Given these challenges, we must exercise extreme care before deploying monopolistic surveillance tools that are ripe for misuse by state or federal law enforcement partners.” 

In an email to Weekly Chatter, a company spokesperson wrote that cities own and control the data they collect with Flock systems. It’s up to Cleveland police whether to share data, either with select agencies or with broader circles of Flock customers. 

“Agencies decide if, when, and with whom to share information, and can modify or revoke sharing permissions at any time,” public relations manager Paris Lewbel wrote. 

The city paid for a recently released study of its ShotSpotter system, which Flock would replace. One conclusion of the study was that staffing shortages prevented police from using ShotSpotter to its full potential. The study also did not find evidence of Fourth Amendment violations. 

Asked about that finding at a news conference this month, Bibb said the new Flock system would help the city prioritize its responses. The mayor defended technology as an important component his safety plans. 

“We’re going to make the case on why this new gunshot detection technology, as well as license plate readers, our real-time crime center, more cameras, all this technology gives us more intelligence, gives us more data to keep our streets safe,” he said.