Cleveland Heights Public Safety and Health Committee March 26, 2026

The City of Cleveland Heights Public Safety and Health Committee met on March 26, 2026, to discuss the use and policies surrounding the Flock license plate reader (ALPR) system employed by the Cleveland Heights Police Department. Committee members reviewed the system's effectiveness in crime solving, including its role in investigations such as hit-and-runs and fraud cases, and addressed public concerns about privacy and data access. A draft resolution was presented to codify data management policies, including a 30-day data retention limit and restrictions on sharing data with federal agencies for immigration enforcement purposes. The committee moved to advance this resolution out of committee for further consideration by the full council. Additionally, the committee discussed allegations regarding collaboration between local police and federal immigration authorities, reviewing audio evidence and concluding there was no cooperation with ICE. The meeting emphasized balancing public safety benefits with privacy protections and transparency in law enforcement practices.