Report Prepared by: Matt Williams, Captain, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing for the City's Automatic License Plate Reader Program and Consideration of an Agreement with Vigilant Solutions for the Purchase of License Plate Readers and Related Software for the Police Department
REPORT IN BRIEF
Hold a Public Hearing to receive public comment regarding the use of Automated License Plate Readers ("ALPR"). Enter into a service agreement for $129,500 with Vigilant Solutions Incorporated to purchase License Plate Reader ("LPR") cameras and analytic software that will read license plates of vehicles that are in public roadways and provide analytical tools to conduct criminal investigations.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion waiving the competitive bidding process allowing the purchase of LPR cameras from Vigilant Solutions on a sole source basis and authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or
2. Decline to award the service agreement; or
3. Refer back to staff with direction
AUTHORITY
City Charter section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
To enhance police effectiveness through technology as outlined in the 2015/16 budget in item No. 1 of the budget priorities.
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced has recognized that random patrolling is not the most efficient method of preventing and solving crimes. The police department has taken proactive steps to enhance our capabilities to solve crimes through Intelligence led policing by employing technology such as PredPol (Predictive Policing Software) and CCTV systems. The next tool the department wishes to employ is the ALPR program. This technology will assist our officers with:
* Locating fugitives sought by the police.
* Locating missing children or elderly adults in response to Amber Alerts or Silver Alerts.
* Locating stolen vehicles and reduce auto theft.
* Collaborating with other law enforcement agencies who ...
Click here for full text