Cleveland police will be able to keep using Flock Safety’s network of license plate readers for at least another six months while city officials consider whether to continue with the controversial company or switch to another provider.
The extension, which must be approved by a full vote of City Council, tightens the reins on the technology in order to keep the cameras – that law enforcement have called vital – operating. In addition to shortening the contract extension from a year to six months, the legislation would require the city to take bids from other vendors, publish information about how the technology is used, and add language to the contract that forbids the company from sharing Cleveland’s data with outside sources.
Public Safety Director Wayne Drummond told council members during a four-hour Safety Committee meeting Tuesday that six months may not be enough time to put the contract out to bid and accept proposals. Council Member Mike Polensek, chair of the committee, said that most council members — and residents, in his experience — are fine with license plate readers, but “there are great concerns about the vendor.”…