DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2023
DEPARTMENT: SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: ROBERTO FILICE, CHIEF OF POLICE
BY: TONYA ERICKSON, POLICE SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR
TITLE: PAYMENT FOR SUBSCRIPTION-BASED SHOTSPOTTER GUNFIRE LOCATION, ALERT AND ANALYSIS SERVICE RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with SoundThinking, Inc. (ShotSpotter) for a one-year subscription from December 14, 2023 through December 13, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $490,000.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve a Resolution approving a one-year subscription agreement and authorizing payment of $490,000 for Annual Subscription of the ShotSpotter Gunfire Location, Alert and Analysis Service, per the terms and conditions of the existing Agreement, to cover the period December 14, 2023 through December 13, 2024.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On August 31, 2016, the City of Salinas received $5.5 million from the State of California to go directly toward anti-gang and violence prevention efforts, with $1.5 million dedicated to three years of subscription services for ShotSpotter, as well as the purchase of necessary equipment and payment of associated implementation costs. City Council accepted the funds and authorized the execution of the initial Agreement with ShotSpotter on August 30, 2016. The initial three-year subscription ended December 13, 2019, and on February 25, 2020, the City Council allocated additional funding and approved a new subscription agreement with ShotSpotter to continue services through December 13, 2020. The funds for ShotSpotter were included in the Police Department’s subsequent annual budgets, and City Council approved payments to continue services on November 17, 2020, December 7, 2021, and November 15, 2022. Funding for the ShotSpotter service was approved by City Council as part of the Police Department’s FY 2023-24 Budget, and staff is now requesting approval of payment for the Annual Subscription Services for the period December 14, 2023, through December 13, 2024, under the terms and conditions of the existing agreement.
BACKGROUND:
ShotSpotter Flex helps law enforcement agencies by directing police officers to the precise location of gunfire incidents within seconds of the shots being fired. ShotSpotter uses acoustic sensors placed throughout the city to identify when and where gunfire occurs. There is no video component and ShotSpotter sensors cannot record voices. The sensors are deployed to cover those areas of Salinas where gunfire is most likely to occur, based on data collection. ShotSpotter is currently used in more than 100 cities worldwide.
The goal of ShotSpotter is to reduce gun violence and save lives. The information and data gathered assists law enforcement in solving crimes and in prosecuting those individuals responsible for gun violence in the community. Most recent available data shows that in 2019, there were 252 ShotSpotter alerts, with only 7.9% of alerts having a matching call for service within 3 minutes and 300 feet of the shooting location. In 2020, there were 275 ShotSpotter alerts, with only 6.1% having a matching call for service. While it remains critical for the community to call 911, the location of the gunfire can sometimes be difficult for callers to identify. Additionally, the community may be reluctant to report gunfire or a potential crime for a variety of reasons, including fear of getting involved. With the ShotSpotter service, an alert is issued within approximately 60 seconds and the alert provides a location which is accurate to within 100-feet without the need for a resident’s report or call for service. This fast and accurate alert system allows the Police Department to respond immediately to the scene to locate and provide aid to potential victims.
The Police Department is working to obtain an updated data analysis related to ShotSpotter alerts and corresponding calls for service but have been challenged due to data system changes, including the implementation of a new Records Management System (RMS) within the last two years. We anticipate receiving this data analysis in the coming months. The Department is also working to add a label to our RMS to more easily identify cases for which ShotSpotter was an integral part of the investigation, and to more easily identify specific cases utilizing ShotSpotter. We have significant anecdotal evidence, and below are four recent examples of ShotSpotter activations and the associated activity.
In November 2022, Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation of three rounds, followed by seven rounds. A witness stated a passenger from a white SUV shot at someone and fled the area. An Officer checked Flock and located a white SUV in the area one minute after the shooting.
In February 2023, Officers responded to a location for three separate ShotSpotter activations within 23 seconds. The first activation was nine rounds, the second 14 rounds, and the last four rounds. A witness reported seeing a white car leaving at a high rate of speed. Officers arrived and found a victim, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and he was able to verify the shooter came from a white car. The victim was transported to NMC for treatment. Surveillance video showed the suspect enter a white car and flee after the shooting. Patrol conducted an extensive canvass and located more than 20 .45 caliber casings in the area.
In March 2023, a ShotSpotter activation indicating 15 rounds led officers to respond to the scene where they located 15 9mm casings in the middle of the roadway. A Flock LPR search revealed only one vehicle that had been captured in the area at the time of the shooting. An Officer parked nearby and located the vehicle traveling westbound and followed the vehicle until it stopped, and a high-risk traffic stop was conducted. The Flock hit photo shows the driver-side rear passenger window rolled down and what appeared to be a person in the seat at the time of the shooting.
In June 2023, a ShotSpotter activation indicated one round detected. Officers arrived at the scene and were approached by victims who had arrived at the residence after going out to a party. As they arrived, they met with an unknown suspect to purchase cocaine. An argument ensued over the quality of the drugs and both victims were assaulted. One of the victims claimed he was shot at. A single 9mm was found. Both victims had facial injuries, and after being treated, it was determined the injuries they sustained were not gunshot wounds. ShotSpotter was notified of the findings.
Funding for the ShotSpotter service was approved by City Council as part of the Police Department’s FY 2023-24 Budget, including the cost increase. Staff is now requesting approval to make the $490,000 payment for the Annual Subscription Services to cover the period December 14, 2023, through December 13, 2024. Terms and conditions of the existing Agreement shall apply. ShotSpotter is in Newark, California and there are no local vendors for this service.
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
The Police Chief discussed the ShotSpotter renewal during Chief’s Report to the Police Community Advisory Committee on October 25, 2023. The Committee had no questions.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The proposed resolution will support the City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal of Public Safety.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Police Department will coordinate with the Finance Dept. during the purchasing process.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Funding is available and appropriated in 1000.40.4130-63.4980.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
ShotSpotter Renewal Quote
ShotSpotter Services Agreement
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