CC SR 20221220 01 - PS Reimbursement Program
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 12/20/2022
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to approve the second cycle of the Public Safety
Reimbursement Program.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Approve the second cycle of the Public Safety Reimbursement Progra m thereby
providing ongoing reimbursements for all existing neighborhood recipients of
previous iterations of the program and opening the application window for
neighborhoods and individuals to apply for safety-enhancing technology such as
security cameras.
FISCAL IMPACT: $40,000 was approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget
process for the Public Safety Reimbursement Program.
Amount Budgeted: $40,000
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): 101-400-6120-5101 (General Fund – Special Programs – Professional/Technical Services)
ORIGINATED BY: McKenzie Bright, Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Public Safety Reimbursement Program guidelines and application (page A-
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B. February 15, 2022, staff report: first cycle of the Public Safety
Reimbursement Program
C. January 19, 2021, staff report: Neighborhood Security Camera Grant
Program
D. September 1, 2020, staff report: HOA Security Camera Grant Program
E. October 15, 2019, staff report: Flock Safety pilot
F. December 20, 2016, staff report: Ring rebates and first HOA Security
Camera Grant Program
G. Examples of camera vendors (page G-1)
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BACKGROUND:
Public safety continues to be a top priority for the City Council. The second cycle of the
Public Safety Reimbursement Program is included in the City Council’s FY 2022-23
Goals. Since 2017, over $145,000 has been spent providing grants and/or
reimbursements directly to residents to purchase security cameras: approximately
$100,000 for individual doorbell security cameras as part of the City’s Ring doorbell
incentive program and $45,000 for neighborhood entrance security cameras. For FY
2022-23, an additional $40,000 has been budgeted for existing and new participants in
the second round of the Public Safety Reimbursement Program.
In addition, the City has invested heavily in automatic license plate-reading (ALPR)
cameras. In 2016, the Peninsula cities completed installation of a Peninsula -wide ALPR
network. In 2018, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes completed Phase 2 of an ALPR
network on Western Avenue. This represents, both collectively funded by the four cities,
and the City individually, an investment of over $1 million since 2016.
Individual Doorbell Cameras
In December 2016, the City Council authorized an incentive program for purchasing Ring
doorbell cameras (see Attachment F), which approximately 1,500 residents participated
in various cycles from 2017-2020. In February 2022, the City Council authorized a portion
of the Public Safety Reimbursement Funds to be set aside for individuals whose
neighborhood was not interested in collectively participating in acquiring a neighborhood
security camera to purchase doorbell/personal exterior doorbell cameras.
Neighborhood Security Cameras
The City’s neighborhood security camera programs have had three major phases:
• From 2017-2019, where neighborhoods were required to purchase cameras from
Obsidian Integration (see Attachment F).
• In 2020, Oceanfront Estates requested a pilot program utilizing Flock Safety’s
annual subscription model (see Attachment E), which led to requiring participants
to enter contracts with Flock Safety from 2020-2021 (see Attachments C and D).
• The current model, which encourages neighborhoods to conduct their own due
diligence in selecting a camera type and vendor (see Attachment B).
In all cases, individual neighborhoods that were awarded grants would enter into
individual contracts with the vendor for camera purchase or services, and the City would
reimburse a portion of the cost to the neighborhood. The current reimbursement rate is
50% of an approved purchase, up to $2,000.
Difference Between Neighborhood and City Cameras
The City’s ALPR cameras are intended to capture higher volumes of vehicle traffic and
provide a valuable tool for the Sheriff’s Department to be notified of “hot list” vehicles. A
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hot list is used by law enforcement to be notified of vehicles of interest, such as stolen
vehicles and vehicles associated with Amber Alerts. Local law enforcement agencies
obtain hot lists from state and federal agencies, including the California Department of
Justice, California Department of Motor Vehicles, and U.S. Department of Justice, as well
as create their own local hot lists.
The neighborhood cameras, while some have license plate reading functionality, are
intended to capture smaller traffic volumes and serve primarily as an investigatory tool
after an incident, rather than primarily as hot list monitoring.
DISCUSSION:
The 2022 cycle of the Public Safety Reimbursement Program offered two concurrent
levels: individuals were eligible for up to a $100 reimbursement and neighborhoods were
eligible for up to $2,000 to install new personal or neighbo rhood security cameras. The
program also provided ongoing reimbursements for neighborhoods that participated in
the City’s previous grant program with Flock Safety cameras.
During the 2022 cycle, two individuals applied for doorbell cameras and were awarded
but no new neighborhoods participated in the program. Staff believes there are two
primary factors associated with lack of uptake: cameras installed in the most well-
organized neighborhoods and the length of time required for new neighborhoods to gather
sufficient support for the project.
To the first point, organized neighborhoods that were interested in the program have
already installed cameras. To address this, Staff recommends continuing the current
reimbursement rate for existing participants, providing ongoing funding for those that
participated in the previous iterations of the program with Flock Safety to cover 50% of
the camera costs, up to $2,000. Staff also recommends the same level of reimbursement
be provided to participants in the Obsidian Integration iteration.
It has come to Staff’s attention from several Obsidian participants that the cameras are
reaching the end of their usable life. One homeowners’ association (HOA) has replaced
the camera with a new vendor at its own expense, another has begun the process to
replace its cameras with some from a new vendor, and a third HOA is requesting the City
cover maintenance costs associated with the cameras. Since Obsidian cameras were
purchased outright, the City provided a 50% reimbursement of purchase and installation
costs, but neighborhoods were responsible for any ongoing costs. Due to the public
benefit received from the cameras, Staff recommends participants with Obsidian cameras
be eligible to receive a 50% reimbursement of costs, up to $2,000, for maintenance or
replacement of cameras, at the same level as those with Flock cameras.
To the second point, individuals would contact the City interested in the program for their
neighborhood, but ultimately were unable to gather enough support from their neighbors
to make the project feasible. Staff believes financial and privacy concerns are the primary
factors to limiting support. Staff has found that individuals typically request information on
the program immediately following a crime, but individual interest does not necessarily
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translate to neighborhood interest or involvement to install cameras, or that neighborhood
support for cameras wanes as time passes without another incident. Staff recommends
that despite substantial interest, funds continue to be allocated for neighborhoods to
install new cameras, as the time to gather neighborhood support for a project might
exceed one year.
Staff’s recommended allocation of the $40,000 budgeted for the Public Safety
Reimbursement Program would be approximately $23,000 set aside for existing
participants in all iterations of the grant program, regardless of camera vendor and
$17,000 for new participants.
Rubric Selection Criteria for New Camera Participants
Upon the adoption of the first cycle of the Public Safety Reimbursement Program,
Councilmember Alegria recommended that neighborhood awards be made based on a
rubric. Staff implemented a rubric for the first cycle and proposes to maintain the rubric -
based selection for neighborhood camera grant recipients as follows:
Rubric for Neighborhood Applicants
Criteria Full Point Score Partial Points
Serves a general public
safety benefit.
Project is located immediately
adjacent to arterial/collector
streets and/or significant number
of households (10 points)
Project is greater than 200 ft
from an arterial/collector street
and/or has minimal public access
(3 points)
Shows evidence for broad
support of project, as
appropriate for scale.
Widespread community support
(40% of households indicate
community consensus) (5 points)
Moderate community support
(20% of households indicate
community consensus) (2 points)
Considers compatibility
with surrounding area.
Considers how project can be
incorporated with existing
infrastructure and/or minimizes
visual blight (5 points)
Minimal consideration expressed
(2 points)
As with the first cycle, interested parties must complete an application (Attachment A) for
their selected award group: individual or neighborhood. Individuals that meet the award
criteria are awarded based on a random draw. Neighborhoods are scored based on the
rubric and highest scoring applications are awarded first. Staff will institute a rolling
trimester timeline to effectively keep the grant open on an ongoing basis to allow time for
neighborhoods with different levels of formal representation/collaboration to gather
sufficient support for the project. Neighborhoods must score a minimum of 15 points to
be eligible. New neighborhood participants will be eligible for a 50% reimbursement up to
$2,000 for neighborhood security cameras or related equipment. New individual
participants are eligible to apply for an individual security camera which is placed on the
exterior of the residence for a 50% reimbursement up to $100, if they have not received
a camera through any of the City’s previous programs.
Ongoing participants from both the Flock and Obsidian camera programs will be notified
on an annual basis if funds continue to be appropriated. They must submit proof of
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payment such as a receipt to be eligible for the reimbursement but do not need to reapply
for the program.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Selection of Camera Vendors
Staff continues to encourage neighborhoods to conduct their own due diligence in
selecting a camera vendor. In an effort to assist neighborhoods in selecting a camera
vendor, Staff has prepared a sample list of vendors which sell security cameras (see
Attachment G). Inclusion on the list is not an indication of the City’s support or
endorsement of the product and is intended only as a starting point for participants to
conduct their own research into vendors and types of cameras.
Camera Locations
The City Council has previously indicated a desire to ensure cameras are being installed
in areas with “hotspots” of crime. City Staff carefully monitors crime trends and there are
no residential areas in the City with higher levels of crime than any other. Through the
rubric discussed above, neighborhood cameras placed in proximity to arterial streets are
scored more highly, due to the increased likelihood of providing a general public safety
benefit due to relatively increased traffic levels, as a stand-in for “hotspots.”
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the second round of the Public Safety
Reimbursement Program, as follows:
• Individuals are eligible for a 50% reimbursement up to $100 for an exterior
personal security camera. Authorized individuals will be awarded on a first-come,
first-served basis.
• Neighborhoods are eligible to apply for a 50% reimbursement up to $2,000 for the
installation of neighborhood security cameras, as approved and awarded based
on a rubric, with highest scoring applicants awarded first.
• All existing neighborhood camera participants are eligible for a 50%
reimbursement up to $2,000 annually, as funded, to repair and/or replace cameras
purchased through any of the previous iterations of the City’s grant programs,
including those who were not previously receiving ongoing funds.
Staff will begin accepting applications in January 2023.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative action s are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
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1. Direct Staff to increase the maximum allowable amount for all neighborhoods from
$2,000 to $4,000.
2. Direct Staff to continue providing reimbursements for ongoing participants but to
not accept any new applicants and report back on alternative uses for the excess
funds.
3. Direct Staff to discontinue public safety grant programs and utilize funding for City-
owned public safety projects.
4. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PUBLIC SAFETY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
BACKGROUND
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes seeks to provide residents with opportunities to further
enhance community safety by strengthening neighborhood vigilance and security. As one
of the City Council Goals, the Public Safety Reimbursement Program (Program) is
intended to improve public safety by allowing neighborhoods and individuals to purchase
public safety equipment such as security cameras.
Security cameras are effective tools in crime -solving efforts. Neighborhoods and
individuals may also propose additional public safety technology that has sufficient
potential for public benefit, subject to approval by the Program Coordinator.
PROGRAM DETAILS
The City will provide a one-time reimbursement for half of the cost of a new public safety
purchase, up to $2,000 for neighborhoods, and up to $100 for individuals. The City will
additionally waive permit fees directly related to the installation of the approved purchase.
The neighborhood, individual, or vendor will be responsible for completing any necessary
permits prior to installation.
Project Examples
Projects must be purchased after the award of grant funds, as approved by the City such
that the project will provide a general public safety benefit. Eligible projects include:
• Doorbell/exterior home security cameras
• Neighborhood entrance security cameras
• Add-on purchase for existing cameras, such as license plate-reading software
• Additional proposals, as approved by the Program Coordinator that demonstrate
sufficient safety enhancement measures.
Eligible Applicants
Neighborhoods representing five or more households are eligible to apply.
Neighborhoods are encouraged to collaborate with neighboring groups to expand the
potential use of the cameras. Projects must be located within the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes.
Individuals whose neighborhood is not interested in participating are eligible to apply for
exterior residence security cameras, such as doorbell cameras , and must be a resident
of the City.
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Neighborhoods that have participated in previous City security camera grant programs
may not re-apply for another neighborhood camera but are eligible to receive up to $2,000
per year, subject to annual approval, for ongoing or replacement costs for approv ed
cameras.
Individuals that purchased a doorbell camera through the City’s doorbell camera subsidy
program held between 2017 and 2020 may not apply for another individual camera.
Contact Program Coordinator McKenzie Bright at mbright@rpvca.gov or 310-544-5305
to request verification of eligibility.
Application Process
Due to the limited amount of funding available, neighborhood applications will be scored
based on the rubric in the application packet, with highest -scoring applicants being
awarded first. Individuals will be selected based on random draw. Neighborhood and
individual applications are awarded separately, as there are individual budget amount s
allocated for each project type.
Neighborhoods must submit an attestation of community consensus, an example of which
is included in the application materials. All neighborhoods, whether they are formally
represented or not, must submit the attestation, with the signatures of at least 40% of the
homeowners in the neighborhood.
Disbursement of Funds
The Program Coordinator will provide written approval of the proposed project with
notification of award status, after which awarded neighborhoods or individuals may
purchase their approved equipment. Reimbursements in the notified amount will be made
once the City is in receipt of documentation illustrating proof of purchase and proof of
installation, to the satisfaction of the Program Coordinator.
DISTINCTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The neighborhood or individual is the primary signatory of the security camera(s), or other
purchase as approved, and holds sole responsibility of the purchase and any related
maintenance. Any recordings or data provided through the camera service belongs to the
neighborhood or individual. The City will provide one -time reimbursement to the
neighborhood of 50% of the purchase, up to $2,000 and one -time reimbursement to an
individual of 50% of the purchase, up to $100.
The neighborhood/individual and their selected vendor are responsible for preparing and
submitting all necessary permits related to installation of the purchase, including as
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appropriate, but not limited to: Encroachment Permit for any installations in the public
right-of-way, Coastal Permit for any installations in the Coastal Zone (area seaward from
Palos Verdes Drive South), and Minor Site Plan Review for installations on private
property. Participation in the program shall waive permit fees associated with necessary
permits, but in no way exempts a project from the permitting process.
As part of the program, the neighborhood or individual will provide their acknowledgement
that security camera footage can be a valuable crime-solving tool and agrees to provide
footage to the Lomita Sheriff’s Station in connection to a reported or suspected crime.
QUESTIONS?
For additional information, please contact the Program Coordinator, McKenzie Bright, at
mbright@rpvca.gov or 310-544-5305.
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CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PUBLIC SAFETY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name:
Email: Phone:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Project Location:
Description of planned purchase:
Description of how purchase will improve public safety:
Vendor name:
Product name and description:
Link to product:
Total Cost: Requested Reimbursement:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
I, _________________________, agree to adhere to the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes’ Public Safety Reimbursement Program (Program) terms, a copy of which are
provided herein, and reviewed by me, including each of the conditions of all City -
issued permits issued in connection therewith.
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I am the primary signature of the proposed purchase/service and I am responsible for
all equipment, service, installation, maintenance, and repair costs. Participation in the
Program does not grant any exemptions from otherwise required permitting
processes. I am responsible for insurance and indemnification of work.
Compliance with the Program terms requires that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department, by way of the Lomita Sheriff’s Station, be provided with access, review,
and download of footage from the camera system for crime -prevention and
investigation purposes. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes, its City Manager or their
Designee, will be provided with access, review, and download of footage for crime-
prevention and investigation purposes.
I agree that the footage captured by the security camera system shall be utilized
exclusively for crime-prevention or investigation purposes and shall not be utilized to
capture interior images of homes or invade personal privacy.
I agree that the funds received from this program will only be used as a
reimbursement for the approved purchase. Once awarded, I shall not apply again for
an individual reimbursement of a public safety purchase.
The following will be submitted as part of the application to the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes. Proof of Purchase and Completion will be required prior to disbursement of
funds:
• Project Application
• Proof of Purchase
• Proof of Project Completion (e.g. photo)
• Permits/approvals (as required)
In no event will the City of Rancho Palos Verdes be liable for any loss of data,
property loss, damage, bodily injury, cost of recovery, or other special, incidental,
consequential, indirect, punitive, exemplary or reliance damages arising from or in
relation to this Agreement, however caused and regardless of theory of liability.
Print Name: ____________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ______________
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CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PUBLIC SAFETY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
NEIGHBORHOOD APPLICATION
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Neighborhood Name:
Designated Representative Name:
Email: Phone:
Secondary Representative Name:
Email: Phone:
APPLICANT LOCATION INFORMATION
Neighborhood Boundaries (provide labeled map):
Number of households in neighborhood:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Project Location:
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Description of planned purchase:
Description of how purchase will improve public safety:
Vendor name:
Product name and description:
Link to product:
Description of how product will be installed:
Total Cost: Requested Reimbursement:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
I, _________________________, on behalf of _______________________________
(Neighborhood) agree to adhere to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ Public Safety
Reimbursement Program (Program) terms, a copy of which are provided herein, and
reviewed by me, including each of the conditions of all City-issued permits issued in
connection therewith.
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As an authorized representative, I acknowledge and agree to the following Program
conditions on behalf of the Neighborhood as follows. The Neighborhood is the primary
signature of the proposed purchase/service and the neighborhood is responsible for
all equipment, service, installation, maintenance, and repair costs. Participation in the
Program does not grant any exemptions from otherwise required permitting
processes. Neighborhood is responsible for insurance and indemnification of work.
Compliance with the Program terms requires that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department, by way of the Lomita Sheriff’s Station, be provided with access, review,
and download of footage from the camera system for crime -prevention and
investigation purposes. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes, its City Manager or their
Designee, will be provided with access, review, and download of footage for crime-
prevention and investigation purposes.
The Neighborhood agrees that the footage captured by the security camera system
shall be utilized exclusively for crime-prevention or investigation purposes and shall
not be utilized to capture interior images of homes or invade personal privacy.
The Neighborhood agrees that the funds received from this program will only be used
as a reimbursement for the approved purchase. Once awarded, the Neighborhood
shall not apply again for a neighborhood reimbursement of a public safety purchase.
The following will be submitted as part of the application to the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes. Proof of Purchase and Completion will be required prior to disbursement of
funds:
• Project Application, including Attestation of Community Consensus (on next
page)
• Proof of Purchase
• Proof of Project Completion (e.g., photo)
• Permits/approvals (as required)
In no event will the City of Rancho Palos Verdes be liable for any loss of data,
property loss, damage, bodily injury, cost of recovery, or other special, incidental,
consequential, indirect, punitive, exemplary or reliance damages arising from or in
relation to this Agreement, however caused and regardless of theory of liability .
Designated Representative Name: ____________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: ______________
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ATTESTATION OF COMMUNITY CONSENSUS
To demonstrate community consensus, neighbors may write or sign their name. If the project is within
50 feet of private property, the property owner (Adjacent Property Owner) should be notified of the
proposed project. The neighborhood should use its discretion in the numbers of signatures it should
collect to demonstrate consensus and support for the project. At a minimum, Applicant should receive
signatures from 40% of homeowners within the neighborhood. The neighborhood should also consider
obtaining signatures from adjacent neighborhoods that may benefit from the project. Utilize additional
pages as needed.
We, the undersigned, support the proposed public safety project. If the undersigned is a
member of the neighborhood (“Financial Contributor”), undersigned additionally agrees to be
responsible for all equipment, service, and installation costs associated with the proposed
project and agrees to all terms outlined by the City’s Public Safety Reimbursement Program,
as signed by the Designated Representative.
Resident Name Date Financial
Contributor
Y/N Initials Address/Email/Phone
Adjacent Property Owner
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We, the undersigned, support the proposed public safety project. If the undersigned is a
member of the neighborhood (“Financial Contributor”), undersigned additionally agrees to be
responsible for all equipment, service, and installation costs associated with the proposed
project and agrees to all terms outlined by the City’s Public Safety Reimbursement Pro gram,
as signed by the Designated Representative.
Resident Name Date Financial
Contributor
Y/N Initials
A: Address
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P: Phone
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We, the undersigned, support the proposed public safety project. If the undersigned is a
member of the neighborhood (“Financial Contributor”), undersigned additionally agrees to be
responsible for all equipment, service, and installation costs associated with the proposed
project and agrees to all terms outlined by the City’s Public Safety Reimbursement Program,
as signed by the Designated Representative.
Resident Name Date Financial
Contributor
Y/N Initials
A: Address
E: Email
P: Phone
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CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PUBLIC SAFETY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
EXAMPLES OF CAMERA VENDORS
These vendors are provided as examples only. References to any specific commercial
product or firm or corporation name is for information only and does not constitute
endorsement or recommendation by the City.
You are encouraged to conduct your own due diligence in selecting a camera type
and vendor. Staff compiled this list by conducting an internet search for “doorbell camera
vendors” and “neighborhood security camera vendors” or “cellular security camera.”
Personal Security Cameras (e.g., doorbell cameras):
•Arlo
•Blink
•Eufy
•Lorex
•Nest
•Ring
•SimpliSafe
•Vivint
•Wyze
•Various camera vendors on websites like Amazon and Best Buy
Neighborhood Security Cameras:
•A1 Security Cameras
•CCTV Camera Pros
•Flock Safety
•Lorex
•Reolink
•Safe and Sound Security
•Verkada
•Vosker
•Various camera vendors on websites like Amazon
Items to consider when selecting a vendor:
•Camera type and image quality
•Upfront and annual costs
•Ongoing fees (e.g., cellular/electric connection, maintenance, service fees)
•Footage storage and access
•Privacy and security policies
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