Shah For Council - Ward 12

The City of Cleveland is considering over the next couple weeks (and beyond potentially) whether we should continue our contract with Flock, an AI-powered security camera company. Companies like Flock specialize in automated license plate readers which collect data on millions of vehicles regardless of whether the driver is suspected of a crime. The fact that previous Councilmember Kerry McCormack left his unfinished term to directly work for Flock late last year should be a disqualifying fact for any city contracts.

I have joined organizers in our city, across the state, and country who have shown the extent of how these cameras are already being exploited. Malevolent federal and state authorities are using them to enforce inhumane policies, including but not limited to immigration enforcement and health care policies such as abortion care.

I am calling upon the Bibb administration to not only stop our contract with Flock, but also any other ALPR systems, and to invest that money in alternative violence prevention programs that the city has already invested in. Just earlier this year, Mayor Bibb sidestepped City Council and renewed a contract with Shotspotter, another surveillance system that has previously been found not to reduce crime by a Cleveland State University study. A study paid for by the city(!). I look forward to a full discussion on the merits of this contract.

Councilman Kelly worked hard for our city, no one can deny this. I hope to serve with the same humility and grace he displayed during his time in office.

an announcement on a beautiful typical November Cleveland day

We are almost there! The Board of Elections is in the process of counting the final votes. They will announce the results at their public meeting on Tuesday morning, November 25, at 930am. You can follow the link in bio to livestream and follow along.