Agenda Item Wording:
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Appropriate funds for the 2025 JAG program - Authorization to accept and appropriate $46,489 in federal funding from the 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program through the Bureau Justice Assistance to fund nine (9) Flock Safety fixed mount automated license plate reader cameras.
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Agenda Date: 09/21/2026
Prepared by:
Police Chief Jason Salazar, 559-713-4215, jason.salazar@visalia.gov;
Police Captain Andrew Swarthout, 559-713-4035, andrew.swarthout@visalia.gov;
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 559-713-4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation:
Authorization to accept and appropriate $46,489 in federal funding for the 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program through the Bureau Justice Assistance (BJA) to fund nine (9) Flock Safety fixed mount automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. There is no requirement for matching funds. The Grant is effective from 10/01/2024 through September 3, 2028. However, the department does not budget for the retroactive year.
Summary:
The proposed project goal is to prevent and respond to Part One crimes by continuing to fund the existing infrastructure of Flock Safety fixed mount automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras that are in strategic locations throughout the City of Visalia. The Visalia Police Department has 13 fixed mount ALPR cameras; 9 are funded by the JAG Grant and the remaining 4 are funded by the General Fund. In addition, 9 more ALPR cameras are in the permitting process that will be funded by the General Fund once the sites are approved by Caltrans. These fixed mount ALPR cameras assist the Visalia Police Department personnel with prevention and investigation of Part One crimes.
Flock Safety ALPR cameras continue to be a valuable tool in the Visalia Police Department’s efforts to reduce vehicle theft. Crime data demonstrates a significant decline in stolen vehicles since the system has been in use. Stolen vehicles decreased from 558 in 2024 to 338 in 2025. Through the current year to date reporting period, 125 vehicles have been reported stolen. This represents a substantial downward trend from the levels experienced several years ago.
The ALPR cameras provide officers with timely information that assists in locating stolen vehicles and identifying suspects of Part One crimes. In 2025, the Flock system generated 190 stolen vehicle alerts. Year to date, it has generated 107 stolen-vehicle alerts. These alerts allow officers to more efficiently locate stolen vehicles throughout the city rather than relying solely on officers encountering them during routine patrol.
Flock associated investigations resulted in 84 stolen vehicle arrests and 20 felony vehicle arrests in 2025. During 2026, Flock has been associated with 37 stolen vehicle arrests and seven felony vehicle arrests.
Beyond stolen vehicles, Flock’s value extends to the investigation and prevention of other Part One crimes. Many serious offenses involve vehicles either in the commission of the crime or as a means of fleeing the area. The ability to quickly identify and locate suspect vehicles provides investigators with additional leads, improves response times, and allows officers to focus resources more effectively.
The combination of declining stolen vehicle numbers, increased arrest percentages, and documented Flock associated arrests demonstrates that the camera system is contributing to the Department’s crime reduction strategy. Flock provides officers and investigators with an additional investigative resource that increases the likelihood of identifying and apprehending individuals involved in serious criminal activity.
Background Discussion:
Flock Safety fixed mount ALPR cameras work by identifying vehicle license plates that have been entered in the Stolen Vehicle System, National Crime Information Center, or manually entered by sworn officers within the Department and throughout the State of California as belonging to offenders. Flock Safety fixed mount ALPR cameras are a valuable tool in law enforcement’s efforts to reduce part one crimes in the community. Flock Safety fixed mount ALPR cameras have an ongoing yearly cost per device.
Flock Safety fixed mount ALPR cameras allow staff to enter license plates for wanted individuals or vehicles connected to Part One crimes. This information is quickly pushed out to all fixed mount ALPR cameras. This same feature can assist staff in criminal investigations by allowing staff to enter plates for vehicles that are associated with wanted offenders. Investigators can also use previously scanned license plates to identify if subjects were observed traveling to or from a crime scene. Finally, fixed mount ALPR cameras can identify license plates associated with law enforcement-based alerts that are generated and shared nationwide.
Flock Safety fixed mount ALPR cameras will always be in service and maintained during the duration of the program and well after program funds end. Fixed mount ALPR cameras will have an ongoing cost after the program funds have been used. The cost of the service and equipment after the grant program ends will require funds from the Visalia Police Operations Budget.
The Visalia Police Department has researched the most suitable locations to place Flock Safety fixed mount ALPR cameras to have the most impact on reducing Part One crimes. Evaluation of the project has been conducted on a quarterly basis and will be ongoing throughout the entirety of the program and beyond. The staff that will conduct the evaluation will consist of members from the Crime Analysis Division and the Investigations Division.
Crime analysts track ALPR notifications from the project devices by using a circumstances code in the department’s computer automated dispatching (CAD) and records management software (RMS.) A circumstances code is used to collect and track specific data. Circumstances codes are used by responding officers and investigating detectives to identify which crimes and incidents are linked to a particular ALPR camera. A secondary feature of the department’s CAD and RMS software is the ability to search keywords in police narratives. Crime analysts will use this function to ensure that accurate data is being captured.
The Visalia Police Department is committed to providing law enforcement services to the community with due regard for the racial, cultural or other differences of those served. It is the policy of this department to provide law enforcement services and to enforce the law equally, fairly, objectively and without discrimination against any individual or group.
The policies in place are as follows: 402 Bias-Based Policing, 426 Body Worn Cameras and Portable Recorders, 428 Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), and 606 Unmanned Aerial System
Policy section 402 provides guidance to department members that affirms the Visalia Police Department's commitment to policing that is fair and objective.
Policy section 426 of the Visalia Police Department requires that all digital media captured by the Visalia Police Department during enforcement or investigative activity are Department records and may only be released as provided in the Release of Records and Information Policy or for other authorized purposes. If another assisting law enforcement agency is recorded in an audio or video recording that is requested for release or administrative purposes, the affected agency should be notified of the request and a copy provided to them by the Custodian of Records or the Professional Standards Bureau as applicable. Prior to releasing any digital media files, the Department will ensure proper redaction is completed.
Policy section 428 of the Visalia Police Department is to utilize ALPR technology to capture and store digital license plate data and images while recognizing the established privacy rights of the public. All data and images gathered by the ALPR are for the official use of this department. Because such data may contain confidential information, it is not open to public review. The policy section also identifies guidelines and procedures to comply with the requirements of Civil Code § 1798.90.5 et seq. This includes but is not limited to (Civil Code § 1798.90.51; Civil Code § 1798.90.53.)
Policy section 606 of the Visalia Police Department states that video surveillance equipment shall not be used to conduct random surveillance activities, to target a person based solely on actual or perceived characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, economic status, age, cultural group, or disability, to harass, intimidate, or discriminate against any
individual or group, or to conduct personal business of any type.
The goals and objectives of the project are to reduce and respond to Part One crimes by continuing to fund existing equipment that empowers law enforcement personnel with the ability to locate offenders, prevent crimes, and solve cases which aligns with the intent of the grant program.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
Appropriate $46,489 in the General Fund and add to CIP EQ0230. The CIP was set up in 2023 when the FLOCK ALPR project was approved. The Grant will reimburse the General Fund for the cost of 9 ALPR and will fund for up to 4 years under service contract C25037. JAG requires the City of Visalia to comply with 59 special conditions, and the City Mayor is required to execute the Certification and Assurances document prior to the release of funds. The form is attached for the mayor’s signature.
Prior Council Action: None.
Alternatives: None.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize and appropriate $46,489 in federal funding for the 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program through the Bureau Justice Assistance (BJA) to fund nine (9) Flock Safety fixed mount automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras.
Environmental Assessment Status: None.
CEQA Review: None.
Deadline for Action: 09/21/2026
Attachments: Award Package, Certification, & Assurances, and PPT.
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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