CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
STAFF REPORT
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal
Hill, California 90755-3799
10/11/2022
AGENDA ITEM
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
CARL CHARLES
INTERIM POLICE CHIEF
SUBJECT:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO ENTER INTO
AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER (ALPR) DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS Summary:
The City Council will consider authorizing the Chief of Police to enter into ALPR data sharing agreements with other law enforcement county, state, or federal agencies with the understanding that the data shared or obtained will be for official law enforcement purposes only and in full compliance with the City’s ALPRs Policy and the Civil Code.
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE, OR HIS/HER DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO LICENSE
PLATE DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS WITH VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND/OR COUNTY, STATE, OR FEDERAL PROSECUTORS’ OFFICES THROUGH THE UNITED STATES
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommendation of adopting the resolution. The initial Fiscal Year 2021-22 investment estimated at $25,000 for the ALPR system was approved by Council during the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report presentation at the January 11, 2022 Council meeting. One ALPR system was purchased and is pending installation on one police vehicle. Any future expansion of the system will be brought back to Council for approval.
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10/11/2022
Strategic Plan Objectives:
Goal No. 2: Ensure public safety is high priority.
Goal No. 5: Ensure an enhanced quality of life for the residents.
Goal No. 6: Promote a transparent and open government.
Background and Analysis:
ALPR technology provides law enforcement with the ability to capture and store digital plate data and then compare that data almost instantly with the Stolen Vehicle System, vehicles used in violent crimes, and other law enforcement databases. The data may also be used to aid in criminal investigations. The ALPR System cannot be installed or utilized until the resolution has been approved and adopted by City Council.
The ALPR system is comprised of a fixed camera mounted on a patrol unit and when paired with the computer software, captures and records a vehicle’s license plate information. These systems typically photograph an image of a license plate and use optical character recognition software to convert the image into the alphanumeric characters of the license plate. This data is then compared to data held in other databases. The ALPR system captures other information as well, including the geographic location of a license plate and the time and date that the license plate was scanned. The ALPR system can also provide a contextual photo of the car itself as well as other information about the vehicle including make and model, distinguishing features, and state of registration.
Vigilant Solutions, owned by Motorola, is the manufacturer of the ALPR system. Vigilant will install an ALPR system on one patrol vehicle but has the capability of being expanded in the future. The new system can capture license plates on vehicles traveling at faster speeds, and the new technology can read temporary license plates as well as personalized license plates with different color backgrounds.
All data is closely safeguarded and protected by both procedural and technological means, including the Signal Hill Police Department’s ALPRs Policy (Attachment A). Members approved to access ALPR data will do so for legitimate law enforcement purposes only, such as when the data relates to a specific criminal investigation or department-related civil or administrative action. ALPR system audits will be conducted on a regular basis.
Approved:
_________________________
Joe Hoefgen
Attachments
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