CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No. Item No.
Item No.
Item No.
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) Lease Agreement with Flock Group Inc.
Meeting Date: April 11, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider:
Adopting a Resolution approving a Services Agreement between Flock Safety and the City of Commerce for the 2-year lease of twenty (20) Automated License Plate Reader Cameras from Flock Group Inc., based on the sole source purchasing process noted in CMC Section 3.16.06; and Appropriating an amount not to exceed $127,000 from the Measure AA fund – Public Safety reserves to provide the funds needed to lease the FLOCK camera system.
BACKGROUND:
The concept of community safety is about people being safe and feeling safe in their own community. At the heart of this policy is the principle that every community has the right to be and feel safe in order to thrive and flourish.
Residents (including commercial and industrial) and visitors must feel secure in our community and confident that the City is a supportive environment that is responsive to their needs. The Community Safety Plan creates a structure for achieving that goal. It calls for the inclusion of several elements that will ensure that all members of the community feel welcomed, respected and protected from harm.
The implementation of the License Plate Reader Program will be the first element put into play of the recently presented Public Safety White Paper / Community Safety Plan.
Auto theft has been one Commerce’s fastest-growing Part I crime over the last number of years. The Taskforce for Regional Auto theft Prevention (TRAP) estimates that $1 billion worth of vehicles are stolen each year in Los Angeles County.
Auto theft not only deprives owners of the use of their vehicles but also provides criminals with a means to commit more crimes in a vehicle not belonging to them. For this reason, gang-related crimes are often committed with the use of stolen automobiles. Focusing proactive enforcement efforts on auto-theft often uncovers other criminal activity and prevents other serious crimes.
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology has been used by police agencies to locate stolen vehicles and solve other crimes where an automobile has been used. ALPR technology has continued to evolve and become less cost-prohibitive. ALPR technology consists of high speed, computer-controlled camera systems that can be mounted to street poles, streetlights, or attached to vehicles. ALPRs automatically capture license plate numbers that come into view of the camera. This information can be used to support our Sheriff’s and local law enforcement for the purposes in aiding a criminal investigation and the detection of wanted or missing persons. ALPRs are also particularly effective in aiding in the detection and recovery of stolen vehicles.
DISCUSSION:
The Flock Safety ALPR System is a deployment of cameras throughout an area to provide greater coverage and more detailed information for law enforcement. The Flock lease proposed here would include 20 cameras which can be spread throughout the City in high crime areas. Flock’s cameras capture date, time, location, license plate (state, partial, paper, and no plate), vehicle details (type and color), as well as objects (bicycle, animals, and people).
Flock Safety presented staff with a desirable approach to deploying ALPR cameras throughout the community. Unlike other fixed or mobile ALPR devices, the Flock system provides the ability to cover more area of the city with system maintenance provided by the vendor rather than City staff. The Flock program is an all-inclusive model for deploying the APLR cameras. Flock Safety is the sole manufacturer and developer of the Flock Safety Camera. There are several other differences between Flock and other ALPR companies. Most notably they are the only manufacturer and service provider that leases ALPR services. Others require the city to purchase equipment.
Flock Safety ALPR camera technology as a sole source vendor based on the following unique characteristics:
The Flock program is an all-inclusive model for deploying the ALPR cameras with the ability to capture two (2) lanes of traffic simultaneously with a single camera Flock Safety provides a comprehensive motion censoring technology with the ability to capture vehicle data, not just license plates Flock Safety is the sole manufacturer and developer of the Flock Safety ALPR Camera. Flock Safety is also the sole source provider of the comprehensive monitoring, processing, and machine vision services which integrate with the Flock Safety Camera. The camera system is wireless, free of infrastructure setup, and has the option for solar power.
Flock ALPR cameras are currently in use by 650 law enforcement agencies nationwide. In California, there are 45 agencies that subscribe to the service, with neighboring agencies such as Alhambra, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, San Marino and Whittier adopting Flock’s ALPR service.
ALPR data will enhance the efficiency and solvability of criminal investigations, leading to increased clearance rates and more efficient use of investigative resources. The City of Commerce Public Safety staff will explore the strategic use of ALPR technology focused in targeted areas. Prior to ALPR technology implementation, the City of Commerce will enact a usage and privacy policy to ensure the access, use, sharing, and dissemination of ALPR information is in accordance with State and local laws.
The Flock ALPR cameras are being purchased pursuant to the sole source provisions of the City's Purchasing Guidelines. While other companies make license plate reader cameras, no other company produces a model with the technological capabilities of the Flock ALPR camera and it’s ability to monitor multiple lanes of traffic with one camera. Other companies' products require one camera per one or two lanes of traffic, making them infeasible for the City’s planned uses. In addition, the technology can identify, and search for vehicles by make, type, and color. Due to this combination of unique features, no competitive advantage can be gained through competitive bidding.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Decline staff recommendation and provide further direction FISCAL IMPACT:
24 Months Subscription (20 Cameras) $120,000
Implementation Fee: $ 7,000
Total: $127,000
The City of Commerce plans to lease twenty (20) cameras for annual subscription of $60,000 for two years. Upon Council approval, staff will include the proper amount in the FY 2023/24 budget that will be consistent with the subscription.
Staff could, subsequent to an evaluation period, return before the City Council with specific funding requests sometime in the future if staff finds that an augmentation to the current allotment of cameras is necessary.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This activity is related to 2016 Strategic Goal, Community Quality of Life, and Guiding Principle 4, Support and evaluate community services, programs and events that promote healthy and quality lifestyles for our residents. Enhance public safety and social services through innovative programs that meet the needs of residents and business communities.
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager Recommended by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Agreement
Sole Source