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...
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