TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Police |
Chief Darrell Lowe |
425-556-2521 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Police |
Brian Coats |
Deputy Police Chief |
TITLE:
title
Acceptance of the Department of Commerce grant, in the Amount of $94,968, and Direct the Finance Department to Recognize the Revenue to Fund Fixed Automated License Plate Readers
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The police department is seeking Council’s approval to accept funding in the amount of $94,968.30 from the Commerce Department’s Law Enforcement Vehicle Pursuit Technology Grant Program.
On April 16, 2024, the Department of Commerce announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide police departments with modern vehicle pursuit management technology, including global positioning system tracking equipment, automated license plate reading technology, aircraft, and non-armed drone technology. In an ongoing effort to address the increased rate of auto thefts and other crimes, the police department remains committed to using pursuit alternative technology.
Through this grant award, the department intends to install automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in strategic locations throughout the city. Flock Safety has been identified as the vendor for this project and will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and support of the cameras with the goal being to reduce crime in the community.
Flock Safety provided a budgetary quote as required by the grant RFP that includes the installation of 22 cameras and subscription costs for two years, at $93,534.40.
body
☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
N/A
• Required:
Grant acceptance requires Council approval.
• Council Request:
Approve grant funding
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
Strategically located intersections were identified within the City to place the Flock cameras to capture the most license plates entering and leaving the City limits. The concept of this approach is for officers and dispatchers to be alerted whenever a “Wanted” or “Hot List” vehicle or vehicle used in the commission of a crime is captured on a Flock camera. Officers will respond to the area and look for the vehicle based on the last known location. Vehicles typically placed on “Hot Lists” include stolen vehicles, wanted persons connected to vehicles, and missing persons.
Whether responding to a crime in-progress or investigating a past crime, Flock camera technology can locate vehicles based on a description of the vehicle without needing the license plate number. For example, a vehicle involved in a crime described as a red sports car with a spoiler can be entered into the search parameters. Using just that information, the Flock cameras will locate all vehicles matching that description and provide information concerning location, direction of travel, and license plate number.
The police department intends to partner with local homeowner’s associations and retail stores who already have or have plans to install Flock ALPR cameras. Through a data-sharing agreement between the police department and private entities, officers and investigators will have access to a tremendous amount of data used to solve and reduce crimes, while holding violators accountable for their actions.
• Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR)
Ø Fixed ALPRs by Flock Safety are high-speed, computer-controlled camera systems that are mounted on street poles and streetlights or mobile trailers. Mobile ALPRs are integrated into the patrol car’s Fleet 3 cameras and activated with a flip of the switch by Axon.
Ø ALPRs automatically capture all license plate numbers that come into view, along with location, date, and time; cross-referencing the license plate with a “Hot List” of stolen cars, wanted persons, and missing persons, for example. From a privacy perspective, data obtained from the ALPR does not include the car owner’s personal information and there are no facial recognition capabilities.
• Real-time Information Center (Fuses)
Ø As we move forward with implementation of additional technology platforms consideration should be given to the creation of a Real-time information center within the police department. Presently there are multiple video platforms in use, (Body Worn Cameras, in-car cameras, City Traffic cameras, City CCTV cameras, private business and residential camera feeds, Sound Transit video feeds) all of these feeds can (and should) be streamed simultaneously into one location or work station or console for use by Staff to ensure the most timely and relevant information is being provided to officers responding to calls.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Flock ALPR technology was presented as an informational item at the April 9th Study Session.
Department of Commerce Grant Award for Law Enforcement Vehicle Pursuit Technology was presented at the July 16, 2024 Committee of the Whole
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
No budget impact.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
228 Criminal Justice
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
4/9/2024 |
Study Session |
Receive Information |
|
7/16/2024 |
Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services |
Provide Direction |
|
7/23/2024 |
Study Session |
Approve |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
Grant contract time period - July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The second year of the Flock quote will be pre-paid to comply with the grant’s timeframe. Acceptance of the grant is due July 26, 2024.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The police department will not accept the grant award and will research other funding options.
ATTACHMENTS:
None