July records request shows Shaker data still accessed by agencies collaborating with ICE
“It’s been a month and Shaker has already fallen short of its promises to residents,” said Dave Thomas from Shake Off Flock. “This technology is too powerful and the network is too big for the city to control. The only reasonable thing left to do is walk away.”
~Read our full August 3 statement HERE
EASY WAYS TO TAKE ACTION!
Email Mayor Weiss to ask him to cancel our Flock contract!
Use the easy template HERE
S H C D N @ G O O G L E G R O U P S . C O M
Members of Shaker Heights Community Defense Network joined others at the interfaith vigil outside the for-profit prison detaining immigrants in Youngstown. Learn more about this powerful event HERE
"By clinging to Flock, Shaker Heights is complicit in a system that is separating families and destroying lives. Our leaders are falling short of the values that draw so many to our community." Read our full June 22 statement in response to Shaker's amended contract HERE
Flock AI Cameras Are in Shaker
🧊Flock Has Shared OUR DATA with ICE🧊
It's Time to Shake Off Flock
Sign Up to Get Involved! All Are Welcome!
Here's what you need to know:
Flock's safety claims don't hold up.
Flock markets their cameras as crime-fighters, but independent research has found that license plate readers are not linked to reductions in violent crime, vehicle theft deterrence, or improved case clearance rates.
Shaker's data is being used for ICE and immigration searches.
For many months, Shaker Heights shared its camera data with all national and Ohio agencies that also contract with Flock — including 13 that hold 287(g) agreements with ICE. Those agreements allow local police to profile, arrest, and detain people on ICE's behalf. Even after contract updates, an analysis of Shaker's May & June Flock data shows our data is still being accessed by Ohio ICE collaborators. It's time to stop.
Flock has a documented honesty problem.
Flock Safety has repeatedly misrepresented its data-sharing practices with ICE and Border Patrol. Yet their standard contract — including the one with Shaker Heights — asks us to trust their "good faith" judgment about when to share your data whenever they decide it's "reasonably necessary."
The cameras cost us.
Between 2023 and 2025, Shaker Heights installed 18 Flock Safety license plate reader cameras at city entrances and exits. By the time the contract expires in 2028, taxpayers will have paid $204,550. We invite you to imagine all the other proactive, safety-oriented, community-based ways those dollars could be spent. When you write Mayor Weiss, share your ideas!
Other cities are walking away — Shaker can lead.
Dozens of cities across the U.S. have cancelled their Flock contracts. Shaker Heights can lead Ohio in doing the same — and show what it truly means to be an inclusive, welcoming community. Let Mayor Weiss know it's time to cancel the contract!
Read Our May 2026 press release - Records request reveals Shaker’s license plate data accessed hundreds of times to track immigrants
Data reveals that outside agencies ran 273 immigration searches – in three months alone!
Shake Off Flock organizer Dave Thomas: "Shaker's Flock contract gives the company broad authority to use our data however it sees fit. We're asking Shaker Heights to do what dozens of communities have already done -- cancel this contract before more damage is done.”
Read more HERE and let Mayor Weiss know it's time to cancel the contract TODAY!
Cleveland.com coverage: Hundreds of immigration-related searches ran through Shaker Heights’ Flock surveillance camera system
News 5 Cleveland coverage: Shaker Heights changes Flock policy after outside immigration searches
Today in Ohio radio show: Today in Ohio - problems with Flock
Spectrum News: Activists worried Flock camera concerns coming to fruition
It's About Justice radio show: Broadcast May 9 - interview with Meryl Johnson
We had the chance to join the Red, Wine & Blue podcast to share what we've learned about Flock and how that's moved us to take action.
Listen to the conversation HERE
Read the Full Research Memo
Created by your fellow residents who heard about the cameras and wanted to learn more. We have backgrounds in research, auditing, tech, and advocacy. But most of all, we're your neighbors.
"Every local official must ask themselves if they want to be complicit in the rising surveillance state. It’s up to the people to make sure they come up with the right answer. "
This is a volunteer-led effort - we need your voice & energy!
