RPVCCA_CC_SR_2014_09_02_05_Status_Rpt_Crime_PreventionMEMORANDUM RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CAROLYNN PETRU, ACTING CITY MANAGER ®
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
SUBJECT: STATUS REPORT ON CRIME PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file a status report on the Regional Law Enforcement Committee's
consideration of crime prevention technology in conjunction with the Lomita Sheriff's
Station.
BACKGROUND
At the November 19, 2013 Study Session, Councilwoman Brooks brought forward an
item regarding the potential placement of video cameras at the entrances to the City as
a crime prevention measure. The Council unanimously agreed to place an item on a
future regular agenda. At a subsequent meeting in early 2014, Councilwoman Brooks
suggested that, in speaking to Sheriff's Captain Bolin, it would be useful to receive input
from the Peninsula Regional Law Enforcement Committee (RLEC) before further
Council consideration of the item, as there may be benefit to a regional approach to the
issue. Therefore, the matter was agendized for the next RLEC meeting.
DISCUSSION
At the May 8, 2014 meeting, the RLEC discussed the possibility of installing fixed video
cameras at high traffic intersections throughout the Peninsula and/or equipping existing
Sheriff's patrol cars and/or mobile trailers with Automatic License Plate Recognition
(ALPR) systems.
ALPR is a software system that uses advanced optical character recognition (OCR) to
read and record vehicle license plates. When installed in a Sheriff's patrol car, the
ALPR system continuously reads, records and checks license plates through a
"wanted" system as the deputy drives through a jurisdiction. This system automatically
notifies the deputy with an audible and visible alert of any "hits" it receives, such as
stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, felony wanted vehicles, Amber Alerts, etc. ALPR
cameras placed at fixed locations function in much the same way, except the "hits" are
transmitted to the Lomita Station via a secure data connection. The mobile system can
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Topic: Status Report on Crime Prevention Technology
Date: September 2, 2014
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read up to 1,000 license plates per hour or 8,000 plates during a typical 8 hour shift.
When a vehicle is recognized by the ALPR system, the license plate is recorded along
with the date, time, GPS location stamp and a picture of the vehicle. This information is
stored in a central database, which can be queried through an Internet browser and
includes advanced search capabilities allowing investigators to query license plates,
partial plates, locations, dates and time to assist in identifying suspects or witnesses of
crimes.
Based on an inspection of 10 intersections located on the borders of Rancho Palos
Verdes conducted in March 2014, it was determined that installing a network of fixed
video camera would be largely infeasible due to jurisdictional limitations (CalTrans on
Western Avenue), topography, lack of available infrastructure, and technical
complications. Three alternatives were discussed, including: 1) using a limited number
of fixed cameras at key entry points; 2) adding ALPR to existing patrol cars; and/or, 3)
purchasing mobile ALPR trailers for stationary use. The Committee continued the
discussion to the August 14, 2014 meeting, with direction to staff to conduct additional
research into the use of fixed video cameras and mobile license plate recognition
technology, and the costs associated with each method.
At the August 14, 2014 meeting, the Committee was provided with additional
information regarding the costs associated the three identified alternatives.
Fixed Cameras
Fixed cameras cost approximately $15,000 each, with one camera required per lane of
traffic covered. For example, a four-way intersection with two lanes in each direction
would require eight ALPR cameras at an estimated cost of $120,000 per intersection.
This estimated cost does not include getting power and data to and from the cameras,
which will require additional study based on the specific locations. Strategies to reduce
the cost of the fixed cameras were presented, including: 1) placing the cameras mid-
block to reduce the number of cameras needed; 2) capturing traffic traveling in only one
direction (i.e. entering the area); and, 3) choosing locations with existing electrical
power and cellular/Internet connectivity is readily available. Potential pilot locations that
were discussed included:
• Hawthorne Boulevard at Blackhorse Road (RPV)
• Crenshaw Boulevard north of Palos Verdes Drive North (RHE)
• Palos Verdes Drive North east of Palos Verdes Drive East (RHE)
• Palos Verdes Drive South at 25th Street Transition (RPV)
ALPR-Equipped Patrol Units
The mobile ALPR for patrol units is estimated at $25,000 per vehicle and can be
installed on existing patrol units. Cities have the opportunity to spread the cost of each
ALPR unit over five years. The mobile ALPR patrol units provide the deputy in the
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vehicle with "real time" alerts when a "flagged" license plate is scanned by the system.
The Lomita Sheriff's Station currently owns three of these vehicles -one purchased by
the City of Lomita, one purchased by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, and one
purchased jointly by the Peninsula Region.
ALPR-Equipped Mobile Trailers
Mobile ALPR trailers, which also function as speed boards, are estimated at $50,000
each. The trailers can be moved from place to place. Unlike ALPR-equipped patrol
units, the mobile trailers are self-contained, which does not allow gathered data to be
viewed immediately by law enforcement. Instead, the data would need to be
downloaded once the trailer is returned to the Sheriff's Station.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
At the August 14th meeting, additional information about ALPR technology was provided
by South Patrol Division Chief Buddy Goldman, who was attending the meeting. He
indicated that there are additional options regarding ALPR-equipped patrol units that
may be of interest to the Peninsula Region. In addition, he indicated that other Sheriff's
Stations in the County use unmanned surveillance patrol cars, which can be equipped
to view in multiple directions and provide "real time" alerts to the Lomita Sheriff's
Station. Chief Goldman's suggestions may offer more flexible and cost effective
strategies than the one previously considered.
CONCLUSION
At the conclusion of the discussion at the August 14th meeting, the RLEC continued this
item to the November 13, 2014 meeting and directed staff to gather additional
information regarding mobile and static ALPR systems, including unmanned ALPR-
equipped patrol units. It is expected that at the next meeting the Committee will make a
recommendation for each respective City Council's consideration on the use of crime
prevention technology on a regional, or individual, basis.
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