City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 3 April 28, 2026
Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 3.3
DATE: April 28, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Joan Malloy, City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Increasing the Budget Appropriation from $111,500 to $125,000 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an agreement with Crime Point, Inc.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt an updated resolution increasing the budget appropriation from $111,500 to $125,000 to account for sales tax and to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Crime Point, Inc., for a new surveillance vehicle. The City Council adopted Resolution 2026-033 on March 24, 2026, and the updated resolution includes the increased vehicle cost, including sales tax on the purchase.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Goal C: Institute forward-thinking, business, land use development, housing, social services, and public safety strategies that promote community growth and innovation.
Strategy 13: Align public safety services with community needs based on a data-driven decision-making approach (i.e., emergency medical services, restoration of terminated police programs, etc.).
BACKGROUND
The Union City Police Department has an ongoing need for enhanced surveillance and investigative resources to address criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking, vandalism, organized retail theft, human trafficking, criminal apprehension, and violent crime.
Currently, the Department’s surveillance capabilities rely primarily on stationary license plate reader (Flock) cameras and direct observation by Detectives, which can be limited by location, staffing, and safety considerations. A mobile surveillance vehicle would provide greater flexibility by enabling discreet observation, real-time data collection, and rapid deployment in response to emerging public safety needs.
Agenda Item No. 3.3
City Council Staff Report Page 2 of 3 April 28, 2026
The Police Department currently operates a surveillance vehicle; however, the technology installed in the vehicle is outdated and less efficient than modern systems. The vehicle is over 20 years old and, according to Public Works, a newer vehicle would provide improved reliability and operational efficiency. Additionally, the current vehicle model is no longer commonly seen on public roadways, reducing its effectiveness in covert operations. A newer model would better blend with contemporary vehicles.
Mobile covert surveillance is an important investigative tool for the Police Department and has contributed to the success of numerous investigations. The Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force and the Alameda County Narcotics Task Force each utilize similar surveillance vehicles. The Union City Police Department previously participated in the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force, during which Detectives regularly utilized such a vehicle to support investigations involving illegal drug sales, gang activity, and violent crime.
DISCUSSION
The proposed Police Surveillance Vehicle would be an unmarked vehicle equipped with:
• Quick-Glance Surveillance Management Software — A centralized software platform that lets operators view, control, and search live and recorded feeds from multiple cameras in one interface. Primary benefit: speeds incident response and evidence retrieval by making all camera streams and clip searches fast and intuitive.
• Virtual Technician Support — Remote, on-demand technical assistance from trained technicians who can diagnose, configure, and troubleshoot the vehicle’s systems without an on-site visit. Primary benefit: minimizes downtime and service costs by resolving problems quickly and keeping the van mission-ready. • FLEX Network Recording System — A scalable, rugged digital recorder that securely captures, stores, and indexes high-resolution video and audio from vehicle-mounted cameras. Primary benefit: ensures reliable, tamper-resistant evidence retention with easy export for investigations and prosecutions. • Ruggedized IP Hermit Cam HD — A hardened, high-definition IP camera built for covert mobile operations with weather and vibration resistance and low-profile housing. Primary benefit: provides clear, dependable covert video in harsh field conditions so operators don’t lose critical footage during long missions. • Covert IP Antenna-Cam (roof-mounted) — A low-profile, roof-mounted camera disguised as an antenna and designed specifically for law enforcement surveillance vehicles. Primary benefit: delivers wide-area, discreet observation from a rooftop position, improving situational awareness without drawing attention.
The surveillance vehicle would be maintained and operated by the Union City Police Department’s Investigations Unit/Special Services Unit (SSU), in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws.
Deployment of the surveillance vehicle would occur in accordance with Department policy, which will include data retention standards, public transparency procedures, and annual usage audits.
Agenda Item No. 3.3
City Council Staff Report Page 3 of 3 April 28, 2026
The surveillance vehicle will provide critical investigative support in cases involving organized crime, drug enforcement, human trafficking, and other complex criminal activity. Additionally, the technology will assist in emergency response situations, missing-person investigations, criminal apprehension operations, and public event security monitoring.
The Union City Police Department received a price quote from Crime Point, Inc. (Crime Point). The estimated cost of Crime Point is as follows:
Surveillance vehicle $52,500.00
Surveillance equipment $59,000.00
Tax $11,986.25 (excluded from March 24, 2026 staff report) Total Cost: $123,486.25
Pursuant to California Health & Safety Code §§ 11469, 11489, and 11495, asset-forfeiture proceeds may be used to support lawful law-enforcement operations – including equipment, investigations, and training – provided the funds supplement (and do not replace) existing budgeted resources and are maintained in a separate, audited account.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s Asset Forfeiture Fund (Account No. 21300000-33206) has a beginning balance of $304,563 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and can accommodate this project cost. The proposed increase in expenditure is $13,500. The total project appropriation (Account No. 21321301-57130) will be $125,000.
There is no impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a Resolution to increase the budget appropriation from $111,500 to $125,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Crime Point, Inc.
Prepared by: Brian Baumgartner, Police Captain
Submitted by: Jared Rinetti, Police Chief
Attachments
1. Draft Resolution