Item #07
Date: August 15, 2023
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christian S. Sachs, Chief of Police
Jim Schaad, City Manager
Subject: Approve Agreement with Flock Safety for Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) system.
Recommendation:
Pass a Motion to 1) approve an agreement with Flock Safety to lease License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras, and related other equipment and services, 2) authorize the Chief of Police, or designee to execute the Flock Safety agreement and any associated amendments to the agreement thereafter, and 3) waive the requirement for a Request for Proposals (RFP) per the provisions of Marysville Municipal Code 2.76.120.
Rationale for Recommendation:
The Marysville Police Department currently owns four (4) Vigilant stationary and one (1) mobile ALPR unit. The stationary cameras were purchased through Department of Homeland Security and Supplemental Law Enforcement Safety Funding (SLESF). These cameras are not supported 24/7 and the Department has had to replace two of the cameras. The Department wishes to phase out these cameras for a system with more support and efficient technology. Flock Safety offers 24/7 support and notifies the Department in the event a camera in non-operational. Flock Safety also allows us to share and view other agencies’ data and information.
Background:
With an increase in stolen vehicles, hit and run traffic collisions causing injury, and other major crimes, additional resources are required to combat the issue. In 2011, a study by the Police Executive Research Forum concluded that Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR’s) used by the Mesa, AZ Police Department resulted in “nearly 3 times as many “hits” for stolen vehicles, and twice as many vehicle recoveries.” Communities with ALPR systems report crime reductions of up to 70 percent, which are currently utilized by many of our neighboring agencies and would allow for collaboration with those systems as well.
ALPR’s benefit our communities and the Marysville Police Department has experienced this firsthand with the limited number of Vigilant ALPR cameras currently in use. The difference is Vigilant support is minimal and cameras have had a lot of downtime versus 24/7 support with Flock Safety.
The Department wishes to increase the number of ALPR cameras within the City as approved by Council within the FY23/24 Police Department budget.
Discussion & Analysis:
The Marysville Police Department is committed to utilizing the most up to date proven technological resources to aid in serving our community. ALPR’s capture computer-readable images of license plates Item #07
and vehicles, allowing public safety officers to compare plate numbers against those of stolen vehicles or wanted individuals on a crime database. ALPRs are an effective tool for law enforcement, cutting down on the time required for investigations and acting as a force multiplier. The Flock ALPR system does not include facial recognition capabilities and does not capture personally identifiable information.
In April of 2022, Yuba County Sheriff’s Department was approved to enter into an agreement with Flock Safety for the installation of several ALPR cameras throughout the unincorporated areas of Yuba County and if Marysville Police Department is approved, we will be able to share data with them.
The Yuba County Sheriff’s Department formally used the Request for Proposals (RFP’s) from Greenville South Carolina in December of 2020 and Tempe Arizona in March of 2021 who were also successful in securing Flock Safety agreements.
Marysville Police Department obtained a quote from Flock Safety for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the ALPR program. Phase 1 was estimated at $29,950 and would be paid for from funding secured through the Department of Homeland Security grant funding. Phase 2 was estimated at $26,350 and was budgeted in the Police Department budget for FY23/24.
The camera program would allow the City to have ALPR cameras at every entrance to the City of Marysville, include one (1) camera at E. 22nd Street at Covillaud Street for cut-through traffic, and one (1) mobile ALPR that can deployed to identified areas if needed.
Marysville Municipal Code 2.76.120 MMC Waiver:
Pursuant to the provisions in Section 2.76.120 Section (1)(A) Exceptions to Bidding requirements, Subsection (ii) when, upon a majority vote of the City Council it is determined that it is in the best interests of the City to suspend competitive bidding for any purchase or contract.
The Flock Safety ALPR camera systems provide up to date technology and provide the best usability with the lowest fiscal impact.
1. Flock Safety offers 24/7 support and identifies faulty cameras immediately.
2. Flock Safety allows agencies to share digital information to decrease time in investigations and identifying offenders.
3. Free integration with our current system for immediate “hit” notifications
4. Allows for collaboration with other local agencies already authorized and using Flock Safety systems.
5. The Falcon Flex mobile unit can be deployed within the city to identified problem areas if needed.
Fiscal Analysis:
The total amount of this project is $56,300. $26,350 has been included in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget and the remaining $29,950 will be paid through a Department of Homeland Security Grant that has already been authorized. There is no additional impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
1) Marysville Proposals
2) Greenville South Carolina RFP
3) Tempe Arizona RFP
4) Yuba County Sheriff’s Approval Award – April 26, 2022 5) Flock Safety Quotes
6) Flock Safety Agreement