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Cleveland City Council's Safety Committee has voted against extending the city's $250,000 contract with Flock Safety, despite warnings from police officials that losing the system would be "crippling" to investigations.

Why it matters: Wednesday's vote reflects growing skepticism about whether automated license plate readers deliver enough public safety benefits to justify expanded surveillance.

State of play: The legislation now heads to another council committee, but no date has been set for a hearing. Without council approval, the current contract expires June 29.

What they're saying: Across an occasionally testy three-hour meeting, council members questioned why thousands of surveillance cameras and license plate readers have not translated into improved law enforcement.

The grassroots "Flock No CLE" campaign warned in public comments that the technology enables mass surveillance and gives a private company control over public data.

"Stop making decisions about our 'safety' without listening to what would actually make us feel safe," the campaign wrote in a letter to Mayor Justin Bibb and City Council prior to the hearing.

The other side: Police leaders argued the technology helps solve crimes and said there have been no instances of data misuse by Cleveland officers.

The Cleveland Clergy Coalition spoke in favor of the contract on safety grounds.

Zoom out: Cleveland's decision comes as dozens of other U.S. cities, including Fort Collins, Colorado, this week, have severed ties with Flock Safety after resident backlash.

Council committee declines to renew Flock contract

Council members questioned whether license plate readers make the city safer as skepticism over surveillance grows.

Illustration of surveillance cameras surrounding a protester. 

Cleveland City Council&#x27;s Safety Committee has voted against extending the city&#x27;s $250,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contract with Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/19/flock-cleveland-bibb-council?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=national&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23909507513&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDQ82vrpxC-XBY5MJnkjoQxMT&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwrs7RBhDuARIsAIVfBD2kMIRjUL1_qCQ1hLmbacPysT5fHRF-HicBDyMs_TSe0ER7QXbTU_caAhF3EALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="10ba385d-9448-4cc9-b789-9db846e7a5cd" data-vars-headline="Council committee declines to renew Flock contract" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/19/flock-cleveland-bibb-council?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=national&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23909507513&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACBUgDQ82vrpxC-XBY5MJnkjoQxMT&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwrs7RBhDuARIsAIVfBD2kMIRjUL1_qCQ1hLmbacPysT5fHRF-HicBDyMs_TSe0ER7QXbTU_caAhF3EALw_wcB" target="_self">contract with Flock Safety</a>, despite warnings from police officials that losing the system would be &quot;crippling&quot; to investigations.Why it matters: Wednesday&#x27;s vote reflects growing skepticism about whether automated license plate readers deliver enough public safety benefits to justify expanded surveillance.

Public Safety

News

U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown and four other Democratic members of Ohio's congressional delegation sent a letter Wednesday to FBI leaders demanding details about last week's raid of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative.

Why it matters: Brown and her colleagues are concerned that the still-unexplained federal investigation could chill voter registration and civic engagement ahead of the 2026 midterms. 

State of play: The lawmakers are seeking copies of search warrants and explanations for the raid's legal basis, along with information about the investigation's scope and execution. 

Between the lines: The letter, sent to Director Kash Patel and special agent in charge Joshua DelManzo of the Cleveland field office, tied the OOC raid to a broader pattern of election-related investigations and voting restrictions. 

The latest: Brown convened local politicians and faith leaders at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Wednesday to reassure Ohio voters that civic participation remains a sacred right, and that instances of voter fraud are exceedingly rare. 

Brown said she has received no communication from the FBI or U.S. Department of Justice in response to previous questions about the raid, which is why the lawmakers sent the letter and drummed up publicity with Wednesday's event.

What they're saying: "Your vote is safe. Your vote is secure. Your vote is valid," Brown said in opening remarks. 

State Sen. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) noted that OOC registered roughly 116,000 voters in 2024, and said "it looks like they were not targeted for doing anything wrong, but rather because they were so effective at doing right."

"Voter registration is not voter fraud," he said, echoing Brown. "Urban communities voting is not voter fraud. Black Americans voting is not voter fraud." 

The other side: The FBI declined to comment when reached by Axios.  

What's next: The letter has requested a response "no later than" June 22. 

Ohio Democrats challenge FBI over Cleveland raid

A new letter seeks records and an explanation for the investigation into the Ohio Organizing Collaborative.

Group of men in dark suits at a press conference around a podium with the U.S. House seal; backdrop shows official logos and slogans, with an American flag to the left.

Pastor Larry Harris from Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church speaks on the importance of voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Wednesday. Photo: Sam Allard/Axios

U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown and four other Democratic members of Ohio&#x27;s congressional delegation <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sent a letter Wednesday" data-vars-click-url="https://shontelbrown.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/shontelbrown.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/oh-dem-delegation-to-fbi-re-ohio-organizing-collaborative.pdf" data-vars-content-id="51fa6619-e8a0-4fb6-aa0b-11117321e66d" data-vars-headline="Ohio Democrats challenge FBI over Cleveland raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://shontelbrown.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/shontelbrown.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/oh-dem-delegation-to-fbi-re-ohio-organizing-collaborative.pdf" target="_blank">sent a letter Wednesday</a> to FBI leaders demanding details about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last week&#x27;s raid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/16/fbi-raid-voter-id-ohio" data-vars-content-id="51fa6619-e8a0-4fb6-aa0b-11117321e66d" data-vars-headline="Ohio Democrats challenge FBI over Cleveland raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/16/fbi-raid-voter-id-ohio" target="_self">last week&#x27;s raid</a> of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative.Why it matters: Brown and her colleagues are concerned that the still-unexplained federal investigation could chill voter registration and civic engagement ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Election

Cuyahoga County recently released a new Data Center Development Guide to help municipalities evaluate proposals, negotiate stronger terms and avoid being taken advantage of by developers.

Why it matters: Data centers are spreading across Ohio, but local officials are still learning how best to shepherd projects that can consume enormous amounts of electricity, water and land while creating relatively few permanent jobs.

Zoom in: The guide urges communities to ask about power demand, water use, grid upgrades, backup generators, jobs, infrastructure costs and decommissioning plans.

Ohio is home to nearly 200 data centers, and as Central Ohio grows more crowded, developers are increasingly looking north.

What they're saying: "We owe it to our residents to stop bad deals before they start," County Executive Chris Ronayne said in a statement accompanying the guide.

"Left unchecked, data center projects can drain our power, our water, and our tax dollars without creating enough new jobs or tax revenue."

The intrigue: The guide warns communities not to sign nondisclosure agreements, accept developers' economic impact projections without independent review or rely on verbal assurances about water, energy, noise or emissions.

It also recommends temporary moratoriums, zoning changes and community benefits agreements as policy tools.

Friction point: The county's guide arrives amid mounting public skepticism and a brake-pumping stance from Cleveland City Hall.

Cleveland last month rejected a permit for a proposed $1.6 billion hyperscale data center in Slavic Village, and City Council is considering a temporary moratorium on new data center development.

Cuyahoga County's new data center playbook

A new county guide urges cities to scrutinize proposals as developers increasingly target Northeast Ohio.

Illustration of a data center in the shape of a "no" symbol

Cuyahoga County recently released a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Data Center Development Guide" data-vars-click-url="https://cuyahogacms.blob.core.windows.net/home/docs/default-source/sustainability/datacenterrecommendations.pdf?sfvrsn=7d6e5664_3" data-vars-content-id="8e7e3dd4-9f20-41b4-82a0-316f0d8e4142" data-vars-headline="Cuyahoga County&#x27;s new data center playbook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cuyahogacms.blob.core.windows.net/home/docs/default-source/sustainability/datacenterrecommendations.pdf?sfvrsn=7d6e5664_3" target="_blank">Data Center Development Guide</a> to help municipalities evaluate proposals, negotiate stronger terms and avoid being taken advantage of by developers.Why it matters: Data centers are spreading <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/02/data-center-opposition-ohio-dewine-tax-breaks" data-vars-content-id="8e7e3dd4-9f20-41b4-82a0-316f0d8e4142" data-vars-headline="Cuyahoga County&#x27;s new data center playbook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/02/data-center-opposition-ohio-dewine-tax-breaks" target="_self">across Ohio</a>, but local officials are still learning how best to shepherd projects that can consume enormous amounts of electricity, water and land while creating relatively few permanent jobs.

Development

The best place I visited this week was Lucky's Bar & Grill in Old Brooklyn. 

State of play: I recently saw a video from a local food influencer highlighting Lucky's birria pizza and was instantly salivating. 

My wife and I are no strangers to the Memphis Avenue strip. Dina's, just down the street, is in our semi-annual rotation.  

Vibe check: Classic rock meets reggaeton — a sports bar with pool and darts and an actual Harley-Davidson presiding over a spacious dining room, but also a night club with neon lights and a sound system tailor-made for live music.   

What I ate: The menu blends standard pub grub — pizza, wings, fried apps — with Latin influences. 

I couldn't resist ordering the birria pizza, which had the precise flavor profile of a birria taco (my favorite) but the extra density of, well, pizza. 

Bit of a novelty item, sure, but it comes with limes and consommé dipping sauce and pairs perfectly with a Mexican lager.  

Stop by: 6021 Memphis Ave., open Tuesday-Sunday. Hours. 

Lucky's Bar & Grill in Old Brooklyn brings Latin flare to classic pub grub

A Harley-Davidson presides over the  spacious dining room on Memphis Avenue.

Dim indoor showroom with a large chrome motorcycle on a platform, white fenders, blue-purple LED lighting, exposed brick wall left, warm hanging bulbs, posters, and a person seated to the right.

A Harley presides over the Lucky's Bar & Grill dining room. Photo: Sam Allard/Axios

The best place I visited this week was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lucky&#x27;s Bar &amp; Grill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.luckysbarandgrill.net/" data-vars-content-id="b2b83415-0168-4d6b-8e72-d34610537c0a" data-vars-headline="Lucky&#x27;s Bar &amp; Grill in Old Brooklyn brings Latin flare to classic pub grub" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.luckysbarandgrill.net/" target="_blank">Lucky&#x27;s Bar &amp; Grill</a> in Old Brooklyn. State of play: I recently saw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a video" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1522907115465450" data-vars-content-id="b2b83415-0168-4d6b-8e72-d34610537c0a" data-vars-headline="Lucky&#x27;s Bar &amp; Grill in Old Brooklyn brings Latin flare to classic pub grub" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1522907115465450" target="_blank">a video</a> from a local food influencer highlighting Lucky&#x27;s birria pizza and was instantly salivating.

Food and Drink

Things to Do

Culture

Gov. Mike DeWine declared Tuesday that Ohio should abolish the death penalty.

Why it matters: The Republican governor helped write Ohio's modern death penalty law as a state legislator in the early 1980s, but has delayed executions for years as governor.

He has not stated his opposition explicitly until now.

Driving the news: "I no longer believe the death penalty is a deterrent to murder," DeWine told reporters.

Catch up quick: The governor has continually postponed executions since taking office, citing the state's inability to obtain lethal injection drugs.

Ohio has not carried out an execution since 2018.

By the numbers: More than 100 inmates remain on Ohio's death row, with average wait times exceeding two decades. Some execution dates now stretch as far as 2029.

The other side: Former Attorney General Dave Yost has argued the effective moratorium has made "a mockery of the justice system" and is failing victims' families.

"For the worst-of-the-worst killers, Ohio is wandering in a wilderness of lawlessness and desert of justice," Yost wrote in his final capital crimes report in April.

Reality check: House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) has said he would "vigorously oppose" abolishing the death penalty, and Republican lawmakers have shown little interest in advancing bipartisan legislation to repeal it.

What's next: DeWine said he expects no executions to occur during the remainder of his term, which ends in January.

Columbus

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

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Get smarter, faster on what matters in Columbus with Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

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DeWine says Ohio should end executions

After years of delaying executions, the governor has explicitly called for ending capital punishment.

Photo illustration of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine with lines radiating from him.

Photo illustration: Allie Carl/Axios. Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Gov. Mike DeWine declared Tuesday that Ohio should abolish the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="death penalty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/22/ohio-death-penalty-machine-repeal-yost" data-vars-content-id="dd4a1d53-9bb7-444d-8426-d1f4387367df" data-vars-headline="DeWine says Ohio should end executions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/04/22/ohio-death-penalty-machine-repeal-yost" target="_self">death penalty</a>.Why it matters: The Republican governor helped write Ohio&#x27;s modern death penalty law as a state legislator in the early 1980s, but has delayed executions for years as governor.<ul><li>He has not stated his opposition explicitly until now.</li></ul>

Sam Allard

Featured stories

Council committee declines to renew Flock contract

Lucky's Bar & Grill in Old Brooklyn brings Latin flare to classic pub grub

Ohio Democrats challenge FBI over Cleveland raid

Cuyahoga County's new data center playbook

DeWine says Ohio should end executions