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A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF ADVANCED PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY TO FLOCK GROUP, INC.
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Summary and Background
On 09/18/23 CCPD gave a presentation introducing Flock Safety products and their potential to impact criminal activity and criminal investigations in a small section of the City (14% of the City geographically), that accounts for 40% of all the shots fired and gunshot wound calls received by CCPD.
Several questions were asked by Council during the presentation, answers to which have been researched and included below.
I. 4th Amendment Concerns: The equipment will all be installed on public property and the legal advisor for CCPD confirmed no 4th amendment pitfalls exist with this proposal should it come into fruition. In addition, in the event any of the cameras were to ever be installed on private property, such would be with the consent of the owner, and generally at their request, hence the absence of 4th amendment concerns in this regard as well.
II. Potential for Abuse or Misuse: We have examined this, and we have not been able to identify any areas where abuse could occur, as the cameras are constantly recording generating their own audit trail with regard to anything photographed. Supervisors or others with access could regularly review any footage.
III. Partnering with School Districts: Flock Safety advised that as long as any resident, business, or school district has a video system that meets their system’s minimum video requirements, they encourage them to sign up.
IV. Funding - The Finance Department has prepared an ordinance for your consideration and approval tonight transferring the $248K needed for this project. If that ordinance is approved the funding will be in place for CCPD to move forward with the procurement of the Flock Safety system.
V. Public Perception: If the Flock Safety system is funded, CCPD will use its PIO to help educate the public on the system, the benefits it offers, and how the police department will use it to solve and reduce crime, positively impact quality of life issues facing the community, and commit to timely addressing any concerns with transparency and open communications.
Since the initial presentation to City Council, City staff has identified another substantial benefit to the City should the Flock Safety products be acquired and installed.
Since October of 2022 CCPD has impounded 38 trailers, boats, and RV’s that have been abandoned. Of these, 21 were towed and 17 had to be destroyed. The approximate cost to the City for towing and destruction has been $167,000. While not all of these have been abandoned in the area of the City where we propose Flock Safety products be installed, many of them would have had to have traveled through this part of the City on their way to being abandoned. The Flock Safety cameras proposed would provide CCPD a valuable tool to utilize in order to identify any vehicles associated with abandoning trailers, boats, or RVs in the City and by extension, the ability identify and contact the individual responsible for the property. Of the aforementioned 38, 20 were located in the proposed area and costs associated with those 20 were approximately $47,000.
Flock was selected for several reasons. First, they are one of the only companies which allows video footage from various businesses, school districts, and other sources to feed into their system. Secondly, the three products CCPD has chosen, (cameras, license plate readers, and gunshot detection), have been proven to aid in both identifying criminals and areas for officers to patrol. Additionally, the Flock Safety system is fully scalable, meaning cameras and other products can be continually added and expanded upon, including a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), as well as partnering with other police agencies.
Deliverables from Flock include 27 Flock Safety LPR Falcon cameras, 21 Flock Safety PTZ video cameras with LTE service, two Flock Raven gunshot audio detection products, and licensing for CCPD to utilize the Flock Operating System. Also included are professional services for the site safety assessments for each location where equipment will be placed, equipment setup and testing, as well as training for trainers and end-users.
CCPD is asking City Council to authorize funding for the Flock Safety project, so that CCPD can being working with the company to rollout their products in December 2023.
These three proposed Flock Safety products in the designated area will help CCPD work towards several of City Council’s goals including:
1. Protect resident health, safety, and education by promoting public safety, environmental health, and sustainability.
2. Develop and maintain public infrastructure, facilities, and transportation to
improve community appearance and encourage continued development.
3. Address the full spectrum of housing needs, encourage sustainable development, and protect residents through enhanced oversight and balanced residential growth.
4. Lead in managerial best practices through strong stewardship of public funds, being an employer of choice, and providing technologically innovative and transparent public service.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Chief of Police Darrel Guadnola
Staff Member Presenting: Chief of Police Darrel Guadnola
Financial Impact: $248,800 (with install and service fees) for year one and $229,000 for year two
Funding Source:
Staff Recommendation:
Suggested Motion: Approve Resolution 2023-135