DATE: JANUARY 9, 2024
DEPARTMENT: SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: ROBERTO FILICE, CHIEF OF POLICE
BY: TONYA ERICKSON, POLICE SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR
TITLE: CELLEBRITE SOFTWARE
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute an Agreement for the subscription of Cellebrite software for the term February 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 with a total cost not to exceed $297,433.12.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement for the subscription for Cellebrite software for the term February 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 with a total cost not to exceed $297,433.12.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Salinas Police Department received an Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Grant award of $3,573,307 from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), and award acceptance was approved by City Council on October 10, 2023. The grant award includes funds to support the subscription of Cellebrite software for the grant activity period. The Department has received a quote for a subscription covering the term February 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 with a total cost not to exceed $297,433.12. The cost will be fully funded by the ORT Grant.
BACKGROUND:
The California Budget Act of 2022 (Senate Bill 154) established the Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention Grant Program. Grant funds are to be used by local law enforcement agencies in preventing and responding to organized retail theft, motor vehicle or motor vehicle accessory theft, or cargo theft. At the September 14, 2023, Board of State and Community Corrections Board Meeting, 31 City Police Departments and seven Sheriff’s Departments were awarded a total of $242,250,000 in ORT Prevention Funding. The Salinas Police Department was one of the awardees, receiving an award of $3,573,307 for the period October 1, 2023 through June 1, 2027, with the final 5 months to be devoted to the completion of the evaluation and financial audit.
The Salinas Police Department’s grant submission focused on the need to respond to the growing threat of organized retail crime and continuing high rate of motor vehicle theft. The project’s goal is to deter organized retail theft, identify and apprehend suspects, and recover stolen property to improve the safety of Salinas businesses, increase economic activity, improve quality of life, and enhance public safety in the City. The grant will fund the development of an Organized Retail Crime and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Program which will be technologically supported using merchandise tracking systems, license plate reader cameras, and computer forensic tools and equipment.
The ORT Grant award includes funds to support the work of the Department’s Computer Forensics Unit (CFU), including hardware and software. The Salinas Police Department’s CFU utilizes investigative techniques to acquire, authenticate, analyze, and report digital evidence from a computer device in a controlled setting. The CFU consists of six Sworn Officer working CFU as a collateral assignment, with most officers having years of experience. The Salinas Police Department is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and the work of the CFU is key in the successful investigation of child exploitation, homicides, and sexual assault cases. The CFU will support the activities of the ORT Grant.
The CFU utilizes a variety of investigative techniques and tools, one of which is Cellebrite software. The Department has utilized this Cellebrite software since at least 2016. With ORT Grant funds, the Department is able to upgrade beyond the basic level software and will now have a subscription that allows unlimited usage. This will support a wider and more consistent use of this software to help prevent and solve crimes, including those related to the ORT Grant. The ORT Grant requires the development of a formal Local Evaluation Plan which will include the use and benefit of the staffing and technology funded by the grant, including the Cellebrite software. This evaluation plan is in development, with a due date of April 1, 2024.
Staff is now requesting authorization to enter into an Agreement with Cellebrite for these new software subscription services and associated hardware to cover the term February 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 with a total cost not to exceed $297,433.12. Cellebrite, Inc. is located in Vienna, Virginia and there are no local vendors for this service. The ORT Grant will fully fund this software subscription. The City Council has the authority to approve this direct purchase under Salinas Municipal code Section12-27 and without application of the local purchasing preference pursuant to Salinas Municipal Code Section 12-28.080.
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Department gave a presentation to Police Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) related to the ORT Grant on September 27, 2023. The Department further discussed the ORT Grant technology purchases, including hardware and software, during the Chief’s Report on October 25, 2023 and November 29, 2023. The Committee had an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments or concerns in response to the ORT Grant award and the technology purchases.
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:
Approving the proposed Resolution will support the City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal of Public Safety.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Police Department has coordinated with the Legal Department on the Agreement with Cellebrite, Inc., with the Finance Department during purchasing, and coordinate with the Information Technology Department during implementation.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The BSCC Organized Retail Theft Grant will fully fund the costs for these subscriptions through December 31, 2026. The corresponding grant award and projected expenses are included in the current budget. Contract funding requirements for each additional year will be included in the development of future budgets.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution – Cellebrite
Cellebrite Quote
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