Safety

Criticized leadership within the fire department, police department, and human resources regarding racial discrimination and accountability.

Complained about police officer shortages, cruiser conditions, and thanked workers for maintaining local fields in Slavic Village.

Criticized the expansion of surveillance technology in Cleveland, highlighting concerns over Flock cameras and data privacy.

Advocated for emergency housing and financial assistance for domestic violence survivors, and touched upon legislative history of strangulation laws.

Raised concerns regarding the Neighborhood Safety Fund grant process and transparency following a federal lawsuit.

Cited documented cases of ALPR abuse and misleading claims by surveillance vendors.

Argued that public funds should be invested in addressing root causes of crime like poverty rather than corporate surveillance.

Spoke as a representative for Flock Safety, highlighting the company's role in helping police departments combat officer shortages and solve crimes.

A retired Cleveland police detective with 33 years of experience spoke in favor of the Flock cameras, noting their value in combating crime and vehicle thefts.

Spoke on behalf of the Cleveland clergy coalition, supporting safety but demanding full transparency and guardrails against data misuse or targeting of vulnerable populations.

Voiced support for the Flock cameras, emphasizing the toll of violent crime on the community and the need for regional tracking of criminals.

Shared a personal family tragedy involving a violent crime on Buckeye Road and argued that Cleveland needs all available technological tools to ensure safety.

Opposed the Flock contract renewal, arguing that private tech companies profit from citizen data and that the system benefits out-of-state agencies more than Cleveland.

Expressed serious concerns about ALPR databases being used without warrants and shared examples of misuse by law enforcement officers in other states.

Argued that mass surveillance undermines freedom and community trust, stating that safety and surveillance are not synonymous.

Highlighted technical and corporate concerns regarding private venture-backed surveillance companies prioritizing shareholders over residents.

Expressed concern that Flock cameras could be used by federal immigration authorities to target vulnerable immigrant populations.

Shared frustrations regarding unaddressed human trafficking and street crime in her neighborhood despite existing cameras.

Voiced constitutional concerns regarding data ownership and changes to Flock's terms of service.

Spoke with mixed feelings as a pastor, acknowledging privacy risks while emphasizing the acute need to protect vulnerable community members from violent crime.

Presented data on pedestrian and bicyclist crashes in Cleveland and urged the city to adopt stronger safety policies, traffic calming measures, and in-house transportation staffing.

Reported workplace safety issues and retaliation at Cleveland Public Power after reporting an assault by a supervisor.

Reported on a hostile work environment within the Department of Public Utilities, workplace safety concerns, and alleged retaliation.

Expressed frustration over council attendance and raised code enforcement and safety concerns regarding commercial trucks parked improperly on Fleet Avenue.

Provided an update on the Senior Safety and Energy Retrofit Initiative and discussed the need to eliminate food deserts.

Expressed grief over the tragic death of her grandson and called for surveillance cameras and safety improvements on the west side.

Supported senior home electrical safety and energy retrofit initiatives, presenting petition signatures.

Voiced concerns regarding speeding vehicles, lack of street cameras, and inadequate policing in the area where her son was killed.

Invited council members to district policing committee annual reports and raised concerns regarding healthcare disparities for minority and senior residents.

Highlighted housing instability and legal aid challenges faced by senior and disabled residents.

Expressed concerns regarding police reports, housing, and systemic support for marginalized residents.

Discussed police staffing, emergency dispatch backlogs, and community safety.

Expressed concerns regarding public safety, police dispatchers, and neighborhood blight in Slavic Village.

Expressed opposition to ending the federal police consent decree and raised concerns about police overtime spending and city infrastructure.

State Representative Darnell Brewer urged the council to reconsider exiting the federal police consent decree.

Thanked council for passing a resolution protecting residents from state-sanctioned violence and criticized aggressive policing rhetoric and ICE enforcement impacts on immigrant workers.

Offered gratitude to the City Council and presented a federal proposal from 'Nations United Under God' aimed at protecting the nation and positioning Cleveland as a tourism capital.

Argued that aggressive ICE enforcement and surveillance technologies like flock cameras destabilize local small businesses and immigrant communities.

Thanked council for passing emergency resolution 114 last week and urged stronger, concrete actions to hinder ICE operations and protect community members.