Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for a $280,000 three (3) year Grant from the State of California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program and submit the application by July 7, 2023.
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Deadline for Action: 6/19/2023
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city> ; Captain Andrew Swarthout, ext. 4035. Andrew.swarthout@visalia.city <mailto:Andrew.swarthout@visalia.city> ; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext.4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for the BSCC Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program and submit the application by July 7, 2023. California SB154 (Appendix A) made available $242,250,000 funding for city and county law enforcement departments to support local law enforcement agencies in preventing and responding to organized retail theft, motor vehicle and cargo theft. Fixed mount automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras are capable of scanning and reading vehicle license plates at a range up to 50 feet in front of the vehicle and at an angle of 60 degrees from the camera. The software reads license plates and can identify vehicle license plates and compare them to license plates that have been entered into the Stolen Vehicle System (SVS), the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), or manually entered as a wanted vehicle by the Department. This tool will be significant in helping the Department increase the rate of criminal apprehension and vehicle recovery related to vehicle theft and violent crime.
Summary:
The Visalia Police Department has thoroughly researched various methods to prevent and respond to organized retail theft, motor vehicle and motor vehicle accessory theft, and cargo theft within the City of Visalia. Nationwide, fixed mount ALPR cameras have had a tremendous impact on reducing these types of crimes that affect our community. While fixed mount ALPR cameras are relatively inexpensive when compared to their abilities, a sufficient deployment of fixed mount ALPR cameras is costly. Staff have researched numerous ways to fund the purchase of fixed mount ALPR cameras and discovered the BSCC Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program.
Background Discussion:
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.
With an increase in auto-theft and retail theft rates, fixed mount ALPR camera technology has been shown to be an effective tool in recovering stolen vehicles as well as arresting wanted offenders. Fixed mount ALPR cameras are a valuable tool in the Department’s efforts to reduce part one crimes in the community.
In addition to an effective response for auto-theft related crimes, fixed mount ALPR cameras can also provide significant benefits through its community care taking functions and as an investigatory tool. Fixed mount ALPR cameras allow staff to enter license plates for missing persons that are considered at-risk. This allows staff to proactively enter license plate information quickly which is 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, such as known retail theft offender groups.
Fiscal Impact:
If the grant is awarded, Staff will go to Council for the required resolution and appropriation of funds. Expenditures must be completed between October 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026. Staff will have until June 1, 2027, to submit final reporting and evaluation. The Grant requires a final audit due no later than June 1, 2027, and shall be performed by a CPA or Independent City Auditor. Expense for the audit will be reimbursed for actual cost up to $25,000.
The grant also requires a set aside of $75,000 for the potential cost of using an outside evaluator. The Grant encourages this process but is not mandatory. The grant budget will include the cost for audit and evaluation services. If the grant is awarded additional information will be provided on the required evaluation plan and final evaluation report. There is no match requirement for this grant. Supplanting of funds is not allowed and the grant must be used for a new program or to enhance an existing program.
The estimated annual cost of the software licenses and equipment is $60,000 which provides the Department with 16 cameras. The Grant will allow the Department to evaluate the equipment for three (3) years and at the end determine if it should be continued if future funding is available
Funding must last for the entirety of the Grant. Applicants should be notified of the award by September 15, 2023.
Staff will be requesting $280,000 in funding from the grant.
|
Fixed Mount ALPR Cameras |
Audit |
Evaluator |
Total |
|
$180,000 for 3 years |
$25,000 |
$75,000 |
$280,000 |
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not allow staff to apply for the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply for a $280,000 three (3) year Grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program and submit the application by July 7, 2023.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Grant Proposal Packet