TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jeremy Paris, Chief of Police
DATE:February 13, 2024
SUBJECT: Automated License Plate Reader Camera Lease
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Grantor Agreement with Flock Group, Inc. of Atlanta, GA, in the not-to- exceed amount of $123,500 for a two-year lease of 20 Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras. Term expected to begin March 1, 2024.
2. Authorize expenditure in the amount of $63,500 for FY 2023-24 as follows:
$60,000 from A/C #001-6610-621-6499 and $3,500 from A/C #001-6610-621- 5699.
3. Authorize expenditure in the amount of $60,000 for FY 2024-25 from A/C #001- 6610-621-6499.
4. Approve Single Source Designation for Flock Group, Inc. to enter into an agreement for Professional Services in connection with the Thousand Oaks Police Department.
5. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. $63,500 is included in the Adopted FY 2023- 24 General Fund Budget for year one and $60,000 is included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget for year two. The total two-year contract cost is $123,500.
BACKGROUND:
ALPR technology has been used in California for many years by law enforcement agencies, including the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, providing law enforcement services as Thousand Oaks Police Department (TOPD). ALPR technology has rapidly grown to become a valuable investigative tool, providing additional leads
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4 that aid criminal investigations. ALPRs function by capturing an image of a vehicle’s license plate, then transforming the image into alphanumeric characters.
This information can be cross-referenced by law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles belonging to missing persons, reported stolen, or used in other crimes.
ALPR platforms include stationary platforms, which are attached to fixed locations, as well as mobile platforms that can be attached to patrol cars, message board trailers, and other moving/movable equipment.
TOPD utilizes ALPR technology from fixed and mobile platforms extensively during investigations. Approximately one year ago, TOPD participated in a research project with Flock Group, Inc (Flock Group) whereby Flock Group provided 20 ALPR cameras to the the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office for testing throughout the County. Ten of these cameras were deployed in the City. Flock Group provided the cameras at no cost during the one-year research period. At the conclusion of the research project, participating agencies were given the opportunity to continue the lease of these cameras.
During the project, TOPD’s investigation bureau placed the 10 cameras throughout the City based on investigative needs, crime trends, and major vehicular routes entering and exiting City limits. After an evaluation of their usage, TOPD has concluded that the cameras were effective in solving crimes, resulting in this request for the City to pay for 20 cameras, for two years pursuant to TOPD’s existing Government Agency Agreement with Flock Group.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
TOPD currently uses both fixed and mobile ALPR platforms. The Flock Group cameras are designed to be rapid deployment cameras that work as fixed cameras with smaller footprints. They do not require any additional equipment, which is common with other ALPR camera solutions. Further, Flock Group cameras, unlike some other ALPR solutions, are able to capture license plates of vehicles traveling less than 10 miles per hour. For example, when vehicles travel through controlled intersections at low speeds (i.e., slowing for a red light or accelerating for a green), the cameras miss capturing the license plates. This is because the Flock Group’s camera systems capture images based on motion, so the speed of a vehicle is not a factor in triggering the camera. In side-by-side comparisons with other systems, the Flock Group cameras capture significantly more and higher-quality images, more readily identifying vehicles possibly involved in criminal activity.
Due to the increased possibility of identifying vehicles involved in criminal activity, along with the option to lease the cameras instead of an outright purchase, TOPD selected Flock Group for the lease of the cameras.
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4 The leased product offered by Flock Group Inc. is subscription-based with a two- year term (Attachment #1). The first year’s subscription and installation costs are $63,500 and the second year’s subscription cost is $60,000. Flock Group, the City, and the County of Ventura are entering into a Flock Safety Grantor Agreement (Attachment #1). Pursuant to this agreement, the City pays for TOPD’s use of the cameras and service. The data generated by the cameras will only be sent to, and used by, TOPD pursuant to their existing Government Agency Agreement with Flock. TOPD will revisit at the end of the two-year term and return to City Council for approval to extend the Grantor Agreement or enter a new Grantor Agreement.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
D. Maintain strong commitment to public safety (including Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Management) to ensure City remains one of the safest Cities in the United States with a population over 100,000.
PREPARED BY: Sabrina Campagna, Administrative Assistant III Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Flock Safety Grantor Agreement
POL: 580-20\SC\Council\2024\021304\Automated License Plate Reader Camera Lease staff report.docx