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STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
NB 1
12/09/2025
TN
Date: December 9, 2025
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Rodrick Armalin, Chief of Police
Allison Burns, City Attorney
Subject:Approval of a Three-Year Agreement with SoundThinking for Plate Ranger License Plate Recognition (LPR) Cameras
Recommendation:
1. Approve a three-year agreement with SoundThinking for the purchase, installation, and service of fifty (50) Plate Ranger License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras to expand LPR network coverage on the East and South sides of Lancaster.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to sign all documents related to the agreement and any amendments, including adjustments to the deployment plan, system expansion, or service enhancements, subject to City Attorney approval.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
The total cost of the three-year agreement is $336,450, to be paid from the Lancaster Police Department budget for technology-driven crime-prevention initiatives.
Background:
In 2023, the City Council established the City of Lancaster Police Department as a community- focused policing agency dedicated to enhancing public safety and addressing quality-of-life concerns. As part of this effort, modern technology solutions have become a critical tool in identifying criminal activity, improving response times, and supporting both patrol and investigative work.
The City currently deploys a limited number of License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, which have proven highly effective in advancing public safety objectives. Existing LPR systems have 2 2
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assisted the Lancaster Police Department in identifying wanted vehicles, locating missing persons, supporting violent-crime investigations, and providing actionable intelligence that has directly resulted in the arrest of violent offenders.
To continue improving community safety, the Lancaster Police Department is seeking to expand its LPR coverage—specifically on the East and South sides of Lancaster, areas identified through crime-trend analysis as high-value locations for LPR deployment.
Vendor Selection and System Overview:
The City conducted a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to ensure a competitive and transparent procurement process. After evaluating multiple submissions, the committee selected SoundThinking, the vendor currently providing Lancaster’s ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology, due to their proven reliability, seamless integration capabilities, and strong alignment with the City’s technological infrastructure.
SoundThinking’s Plate Ranger LPR platform offers:
High-resolution, real-time automated license plate capture Robust analytics and investigative tools for patrol and detectives Integrated data-sharing and interoperability with existing SoundThinking systems Secure cloud-based storage with strict compliance to privacy laws and departmental policy Scalable deployment options, allowing future expansion as needed A key advantage of Plate Ranger is its direct integration with ShotSpotter, enabling the LPR network to provide license plate captures associated with gunfire incidents. When ShotSpotter detects gunfire, Plate Ranger cameras positioned near the incident location can capture plates of vehicles entering or leaving the area during the relevant timeframe. This capability helps officers identify potential victims, witnesses, and suspects, strengthening the Department’s ability to respond rapidly and investigate gun-related crimes. Leveraging the existing partnership with SoundThinking will also support system compatibility and operational efficiency across technology platforms used by the Lancaster Police Department.
Public Safety Benefits:
Deploying fifty (50) additional LPR cameras will significantly strengthen Lancaster’s public- safety network by:
Enhancing real-time situational awareness for officers in the field Providing critical leads within seconds of a wanted or missing-person vehicle entering the city
Deterring criminal activity through increased technological presence 2 2
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Supporting investigations into violent crime, property crime, and organized theft Improving response capabilities by providing timely, accurate vehicle intelligence Enhancing the effectiveness of Lancaster’s ShotSpotter system by supplying vehicle movement data linked to gunfire incidents, enabling identification of individuals who may have fled, witnessed, or been harmed during the event
This expanded technological footprint aligns with the City’s strategic approach to crime reduction and proactive policing, further reinforcing the City of Lancaster’s commitment to a safer community.
Attachment:
Agreement with SoundThinking for Plate Ranger LPR Camera System (Three-Year Term)