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CC SR 20151215 04 - Automated License Plate Recognition CamerasCITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS DOUG WILLMORE, CITY MANAGER vvvJ DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2015 SUBJECT: Project Manager: AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION CAMERAS Gabriella Yap, Deputy City Manager ·t RECOMMENDATION 1) Authorize staff to purchase six (6) Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras and installation from the Sheriff's negotiated vendor (expected to be Vigilant Solutions) under the terms negotiated by the Sheriff's Department, in an amount not-to-exceed $90,000, for the locations at Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS)/251h Street and near Palos Verdes Drive West/Marguerite Drive. 2) Authorize staff to proceed with necessary infrastructure improvements needed at Palos Verdes Drive West (PVDW)/Marguerite Drive location. 3) Direct staff to continue working with the neighboring Peninsula cities on a joint regional project to install additional ALPR cameras near the gateways and bring back an agreement to the Council for consideration and approval. FISCAL IMPACT Budgeted Amount: $ Additional Appropriation: $ New Amount Balance: $ 8,400 169,000 ($90,000 cameras+ $75,000 infrastructure+ $4,000 ongoing) 177,400 Account Number(s): 101-1024-421-61-00 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As part of our public safety efforts and in response to the increasing number of residential burglaries, staff is requesting authorization from the Council to purchase Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras for locations at Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS)/25th Street and near Palos Verdes Drive West (PVDW)/Marguerite Drive. The 1 PVDS location has been prepared and has an existing camera, but staff is requesting authorization to proceed with preparing the site at PVDW and Marguerite Drive with the necessary infrastructure. Staff is also requesting direction to continue working with the neighboring Peninsula cities on a joint regional project to identify strategic locations to install additional ALPR cameras near the perimeter of the peninsula in order to capture the maximum number of vehicles entering the area. BACKGROUND The cities of Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV), Rolling Hills Estates (RHE), and Palos Verdes Estates (PVE) have seen a tremendous spike in Part I crimes (see Exhibit 1 ). In RPV, the most alarming has been the residential burglaries as can be seen on the attached GIS maps (Exhibit 2). In response, the Council added two more patrol cars designated to patrol RPV and is actively seeking new ways to reduce crime in the City. The topic of using Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) has been discussed by the Peninsula Regional Law Enforcement Committee, which is made up of the Peninsula cities that contract with the Sheriff's Department: RPV, RHE, and Rolling Hills (RH). ALPR is a technology that allows a camera to scan a large number of license plates quickly in an objective manner and compares the data to a number of police databases. Law enforcement is notified if there is a match to one of their databases. These cameras can be fixed (mounted on the roadside) or mobile (mounted on patrol cars). The Regional Law Committee agreed to jointly purchase one ALPR-equipped patrol vehicle. RPV also individually contracted for one patrol vehicle to be equipped with an ALPR camera. The Regional Law Committee is looking at the possibility of fixed video cameras at high-traffic intersections and asked the Sheriff to return with some analysis for their February 2016 meeting. They had identified 4 locations to be preliminarily reviewed: • Hawthorne Boulevard, north of Palos Verdes Drive North in RHE • Crenshaw Boulevard north of Palos Verdes Drive North in RHE • Palos Verdes Drive North east of Palos Verdes Drive East in RHE • Palos Verdes Drive South at 25 1h Street transition in RPV An ALPR camera at the Palos Verdes Drive South at 25th Street location was implemented as part of a pilot program. The pilot program consisted of the Sheriff loaning an existing camera for 3-6 months at this location. There were originally two cameras loaned to the City, one facing toward San Pedro to see outgoing vehicles, and one facing RPV, to see vehicles coming into the City; however, only the camera facing RPV is working as the outward facing camera was not functioning. The Sheriff had requested parts for the second camera to be fixed; however, it is a few years old and out of warranty. In addition, the Sheriff is currently in negotiations with a new vendor. DISCUSSION Originally, staff was planning on bringing this item forward as part of a Draft Public Safety Strategic Plan in January, but due to the urgency of the issue of residential burglaries and 2 home invasions, we are recommending moving forward with the purchase and installation of some of the ALPRs ahead of the other items in the plan. This is also sooner than what was anticipated at the Regional Law Committee. As mentioned above, many of the other cities are experiencing the same concern with the crime spike and our staff and the Sheriff's Department are partnering with the other three Peninsula cities to create a more effective network of ALPR cameras that would target the Peninsula's perimeter, thereby increasing the odds of making the entire area safer. PVE and RHE are especially interested, which is helpful to RPV as the main gateways to the Peninsula fall within those cities. The ALPR cameras have the potential to prevent crimes by notifying patrol vehicles when there is a "hit", such as stolen vehicles, vehicles with warrants over $26,000, and lost or stolen plates, which will result in more efficient deployment by both PVE Police Department and the Sheriff's Department. They have also been proven to assist in solving crimes by being able to use them to search for the license numbers of suspicious vehicles (based on descriptions) in certain intersections at specified time frames. Below are some figures obtained from the Sheriff's Department regarding the fixed and mobile ALPR systems. The camera covering west-bound traffic at PVDS/25th Street was installed on September 8, 2015, but the power was not on until mid-month. The stats for this camera were pulled as of November 3, 2015, so less than two months of data and 149,276 scans have produced the following data: September October November Total Scans 28,616 (partial month as power was switched on mid-month) 111,476 9,184 149,276 Total Hits per Hotlist from PVDS/2Sth STOLEN VEHICLE 3 LAGO WARRANT 13 (LA County Warrant vehicles over $26K) LOST OR STOLEN PLATE 6 (Reported vehicles with Lost or Stolen Plates) CSAR (INFORMATION ONLY) 14 (Calif Sex and Arson Registrants) TEST PLATE 1 This technology is by no means the cure-all for crime, but for some background on the effectiveness of license plate recognition systems, the following are some findings discussed in 'A Report on the Utility of the Automated Licence Plate Recognition System in British Columbia" written by professors at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at University College of the Fraser Valley. In different studies done by the PA Consulting Group in 2002 to 2003 and between June 2003 and June 2004 1, the wide use of fixed and mobile ALPR devices in the United Kingdom resulted in more arrests and 1 PA Consulting Group. (2004 ). Driving Crime Down -Denying Criminals the Use of the Road. Great Britain, Home Office. Accessed July 21st, 2007 from http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and- publications/publication/operational-policing/Driving_ Crime_ Down_-_ Deny in l .pdf?view=Binary 3 better efficiency in the deployment of officers. In a four-month study conducted by the State of Ohio in 2004, they found that the State Highway Patrol apprehended 23 criminal suspects and recovered 24 stolen vehicles, results that were 50% higher than the same time period one year previous (McClellan, 2004)2 . Staff is requesting authorization and funding to: • Purchase 2 ALPR Cameras ($15,000 each, $30,000 total) for PVDS/251h Street transition to be installed as soon as received. ETA: 4-6 weeks for delivery, installation and configuration • Purchase 4 ALPR Cameras ($15,000 each, $60,000 total) and install Infrastructure ($50,000-$75,000 estimated) for PVDW near Marguerite (close to border of PVE) to be installed as soon as received. ETA: 6-8 weeks for infrastructure, 4-6 weeks for delivery, installation and configuration • Provide for ongoing costs related to cellular service and electricity ($2,000 per location/per year, $4,000 total) The Sheriff's Department is currently in negotiations with a new ALPR vendor, Vigilant Solutions. The negotiations are a multi-item discussion of many variables including, but not limited to: pricing, management, extended warranties, data access and management, hosted data solutions, and other security and legal requirements. Much of the timing will depend on these discussions and the Sheriff's schedule for configuration. Each fixed ALPR camera is estimated to cost $15,000 per camera per lane (the camera can only monitor one lane at a time). The contractor (likely Vigilant Solutions), working together with the Sheriff's Department, would be responsible for installation and configuring the cameras to work with the Sheriff's ALPR system, and would assist with future warranty and repair. We are estimating $50,000 for the infrastructure at the site, but much of it will depend on whether or not there is a pole in place, access to electricity, and cell connectivity (which would require $1,500-$3,000 for the network equipment. In the absence of cell connectivity, fiber would be needed and is estimated to cost up to $10,000. Staff is also requesting direction to move forward in coordinating with RHE, PVE, and RH on identifying additional ALPR locations. RPV would take the lead with the working group, made up of the Sheriff, PVE Police Department, and staff from all four cities, to identify the best locations not only in terms of chokepoints, but also in regards to existing poles, power, and cellular connectivity for better cost-efficiency. At this point, it is estimated that there would be cameras located near the following additional locations: • 4 Cameras (2 northbound and 2 southbound) for Hawthorne Boulevard, north of Palos Verdes Drive North in RHE • 4 Cameras (2 northbound and 2 southbound) for Crenshaw Boulevard north of Palos Verdes Drive North in RHE • 4 Cameras (2 northbound and 2 southbound) for Palos Verdes Drive North east of Palos Verdes Drive East in RHE 2McClellan, P. (2004). Automatic Plate Recognition Evaluation Ends with Positive Results. Accessed July 22, 2007 from http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/colcolumn/2004/AutoScanner-2.htm. 4 • Sites in PVE to be determined, but it is anticipated that there will be at least two (2) locations (one at the Palos Verdes Drive North entrance coming into PVE from Torrance and at Via Valmonte coming in from Hawthorne Blvd.) A meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2015 with the Sheriff, PVE Staff and PD, and staff from RPV, RHE, and RH to identify in more detail sites that would be good locations for fixed ALPR cameras, and to determine if they have existing infrastructure such as poles of sufficient height, power, and in an area with cell service in order to reduce costs. These sites would then be evaluated by Sergeant Gaw and his team from the Sheriff's Department to determine their feasibility. It is expected that the cities would share in the cost of the future sites in RHE and PVE, and we have received positive indications from staff in our three neighboring cities. However, final recommendations would have to be presented to their respective City Councils for approval. Currently, the formula that RPV, RHE, and RH were anticipating when discussed at the Peninsula Regional Law Enforcement Committee was 68%128%14%, respectively. Now that PVE is interested in joining the group for sharing in the cost of installing the ALPR's, the percentages will likely be lower for the current Regional Law Committee cities. All four cities benefit by getting ALPR coverage at the key roadways and intersections entering and leaving the peninsula. CONCLUSION It is the belief of the Sheriff's Department, PVE PD, and the staff of the various cities that we will be more effective in crime prevention and apprehension if we join our resources together and look to protecting the Peninsula as a whole. Authorizing staff to proceed first with installing our own ALPR cameras at PVDS/251h Street transition and PVDW/Marguerite Drive would help to address the rising burglary rate and heightened public safety concerns in the short-term. In the slightly longer-term, it would be ideal to continue working with the other Peninsula cities to identify strategic locations for more ALPRs to create something of a "guard gate" for the Peninsula. ALTERNATIVES The Council could choose not to fund one or more of the cameras requested at PVDS/251h Street and PVDW/Marguerite Drive. The Council could also direct staff to discontinue work with the other cities on the Peninsula and pursue a different direction in our crime prevention efforts. Attachments 1) Rancho Palos Verdes Part I and Part II Crimes for 2014 and 2015 (page 6) 2) Maps of Residential Burglaries in RPV (page 10) 5 Homicide Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault Burglary, Residence RANCHO PALOS VERDES PART I-2014 Burglary, Other Structure Vehicle Burglary Theft from Vehicle Other Larceny I Theft Grand Theft Auto Arson Total 87 120 130 154 6 PART II CRIME ACTIVITY COMPARISON 2014 7 Homicide Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault Burglary, Residence RANCHO PALOS VERDES PART I-2015 Burglary, Other Structure Vehicle Burglary Theft from Vehicle Other Larceny I Theft Grand Theft Auto Arson Total 138 129 140 ..,-,· 8 PART II CRIME ACTIVITY COMPARISON 2015 9 2015 CRIMES: RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES TORRANCE PALOS ./ERl)ES EST1HES Legend • Residential Burglary --Street Centerlines c::J cityofRPV D Adjacent Cities ROLLING HILLS Total Residential Burglaries: 158 *some occurrences are not geolocated on the map LOMITA PV Reservoir _os NGEI ES Qf] N 1 ! 10 Legend • Residential Burglary --Street Centerlines c:J cityofRPV D Adjacent Cities 2014 CRIMES: RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES TORRANCE ROLLING HILLS Total Residential Burglaries: 144 * some occurrences are not geolocated on the map LOMITA S ESTATFS PV Reservoir 1-0S ANGFLES ~ N 1 t 11 Legend • Residential Burglary --Street Centerlines c:J cityofRPV D Adjacent Cities 2013 CRIMES: RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES TORR.A.NCE ROU .NG i-JILLS Total Residential Burglaries: 139 * some occurrences are not geolocated on the map L011/11A PV Reservoir LOS ANGELES ~ N 1 Miles t 12 Legend • Residential Burglary --Street Centerlines c:J cityofRPV D Adjacent Cities 2012 CRIMES: RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES TORRANCE RC:... JNG HILLS Total Residential Burglaries: 118 *some occurrences are not geolocated on the map LOMITA PV Reservoir LOS ANGELES Q[] N 1 i 13 Legend • Residential Burglary --Street Centerlines CJ cityofRPV CJ Adjacent Cities 2011 CRIMES: RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES TORRANCE RO~LING HIL S Total Residential Burglaries: 119 * some occurrences are not geolocated on the map LOMITA PV Reservoir LOS ANGELES ~ N 1 Miles i 14 Legend • Residential Burglary --Street Centerlines c::J cityofRPV D Adjacent Cities 2010 CRIMES: RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES TORRANCE ROWNG HILLS Total Residential Burglaries: 118 * some occurrences are not geolocated on the map LOMITA PV Reservoi r LOS ANGELES Q[J N 1 Miles ~ 15