AGENDA REPORT
CITy Meeting Date: December 20, 2016
Agenda Item # E-
City Manager Approval: de
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Kyle Sanders, Chief of Police RES
SUBJECT: Automated License Plate Reader Program
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1. That the City Council conduct a public hearing regarding implementation of an Automated License Plate Reader Program as required pursuant to SB 34.
2. That the City Council approve the Red Bluff Police Department to receive $140,000 from the Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement Board for the implementation of an Automated License Plate Reader program and all associated costs for three years.
3. That the City Council Authorize the Police Department to utilize Lehr Auto Electric as a sole source vendor for the Vigilant Solutions Automated License Plate Reader software and equipment in the amount of $132,911.83.
4. Approve a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $140,000.00 to FY 2016/2017 revenue account 11-33-060-050 (TIDE Grant) for expenditure from account 11-33-540-118 (TIDE Expenditures). The amount of $140,000.00 will be acquired from TIDE prior to purchase and implementation.
SUMMARY:
Over the last several years, the City of Red Bluff has seen a dramatic increase in vehicles being stolen. There exists technology (Automated License Plate Readers) that can be beneficial in tracking, locating and ultimately recovering stolen vehicles. The Police Department has secured significant funding to implement an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program within the City of Red Bluff as well as the City of Corning.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: Adopted/ Approved 50-0
By Reg Bluff City Council
None. A kia 12-20-16
initial Date
Deputy City Clerk
City of Red Bluff
DISCUSSION:
Subsequent to the adoption of AB109 and Proposition 47, the City of Red Bluff has experienced a significant spike in stolen vehicle activity. In fact, we have experienced a 348% increase in the number of vehicles stolen when comparing 2011 with the projected number of vehicles that will have been stolen by the end of 2016. Refer to the below chart for specific details:
Stolen Vehicles
*112
99 94
77 38
25 2011 20z2 2013 2014 2025 2016
After discussing concerns regarding the spike in stolen vehicles with other law enforcement leaders, the idea of utilizing Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) as a means to impact the stolen vehicle problem came to life. More specifically, the issue began to be discussed at the Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement (TIDE) Board meetings. On September 8, 2016, the TIDE Board agreed to allocate $125,000 of asset forfeiture funds toward the project that would include three different law enforcement agencies; Red Bluff Police Department, Corning Police Department (CPD), and the Tehama County District Attorney Bureau of Investigations (TCDABI).
Based on discussions, agency interest, and cost estimates, the TIDE Board determined the project would provide three fixed site locations (2 in Red Bluff and 1 in Corning) and three mobile units (1 each for RBPD, CPD, and TCDABI). It was determined that Red Bluff PD would take the lead in program acquisition and implementation.
There are two companies that provide ALPR software and equipment, Vigilant Solutions and 3M. Our research has determined Vigilant Solutions as the premiere software provider for ALPR in our region. Additionally, some agencies that formerly utilized 3M have now switched to Vigilant Solutions (including Shasta County Sheriff's Department).
Lehr Auto Electric, a vendor we have worked with extensively for vehicle equipment outfitting, is the exclusive provider for the Vigilant Solutions ALPR system in our region.
Lehr Auto Electric has provided a quote for this three year bundle package for the price of $132,911.83. This price covers the taxes and all other associated project costs with the exclusion of internet access air cards and the monthly fees associated with those air cards.
The total approximate costs for air card fees over the three year period is $1260.00, bringing the necessary funding for this project to $134,171.83.
Since the $125,000 allocation for this project was insufficient, the item was taken back to the TIDE Board in an attempt to gain sufficient funding to pay for this project with no cost to the agencies involved. On November 10, 2016, the TIDE Board voted to allocate $140,000.00 for the ALPR project to cover all start-up costs as well as other associated fees and expenses for a three year period. This amount will allow for a $5,828.17 contingency in the event unanticipated costs, such as an increase in monthly air card fees were to occur.
At the end of three years, funding will be necessary to continue the program fully.
Currently, the annual cost for year four would be almost $21,000 and the cost for year five would be almost $22,000 (see attachments for actual quotes). Included in these prices are the addition of two additional fixed post sites per year, further building the capacity of the program. Therefore, one of two things will need to occur for the program to continue at the conclusion of the initial three year period. Either the TIDE Board will need to supply funding for additional years or alternatively, the involved agencies would need to fund the annual licensing costs and any monthly fees for air cards at fixed location sites.
In some regions of our nation the idea of ALPR technology can be controversial.
Recognizing this could be a potential issue of concern, this topic was discussed in detail at a meeting with the Chief's Citizen Advisory Committee (a 12 person committee comprised of a variety of persons from within our community). There was great consensus amongst committee members that utilization of this technology was an appropriate and worthwhile endeavor. Committee members expressed no significant concern regarding use of such technology. Additionally, the City Council's law enforcement subcommittee was advised of this project.
For additional information regarding the subject of ALPR's and some of the benefits derived from them, I've attached a recent article from PoliceOne.com titled "How license plate readers are helping one California PD catch more criminals." CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
None. This project is being financed completely by funds provided from asset forfeiture reserves held by TIDE.
ATTACHMENTS:
• TIDE Board meeting minutes from September 8, 2016.
• TIDE Board meeting minutes from November 10, 2016.
• Lehr Auto Electric Quotation for Vigilant Solutions ALPR Program. • Vigilant Solutions sole source letter.
PoliceOne.com Article.
• Legal Notice
• Lehr Auto Electric Quote for Year 4 (information only) • Lehr Auto Electric Quote for Year 5 (information only)
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Seputy Sily Clerk
Publish: December 10, 2016