CC SR 20240917 C - Security Cameras
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 09/17/2024
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to install surveillance cameras for City-owned open
space areas and parking lots.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file a report on a proposed surveillance camera pilot program for use
in some City-owned open space areas and parking lots; and
(2) If deemed acceptable, as an expanded pilot program, authorize Staff to purchase,
install, and maintain an annual subscription of 12 Tactacam Reveal surveillance
cameras to be located at nine open space areas and City-owned parking lots.
FISCAL IMPACT: The initial, first year cost to purchase, install, and maintain 12
surveillance cameras is $7,712 and will require a budget
appropriation in the FY 2024-25 budget. Ongoing annual operating
costs starting in year two will be approximately $1,260 and will be
budgeted in future operating budgets.
Amount Budgeted: $0
Additional Appropriation: $7,800
Account Number(s): 101-400-5123-4310
(Park Rangers: Operating Materials and Supplies) VR
ORIGINATED BY: Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst, Recreation and Parks
REVIEWED BY: Daniel Trautner, Recreation and Parks Director
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. November 16, 2021 City Council staff report
BACKGROUND:
Incidents of vandalism, accidents, and crimes have occurred at some open space
trailheads and on or near City parking lots in recent years. Due to the lack of witnesses
or cameras nearby, many of these crimes and incidents could not be effectively
investigated. At its November 16, 2021 meeting, the City Council reviewed various types
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of security camera systems and considered a list of possible installation locations
(Attachment A), which was developed based on the following criteria:
• A relatively open view of specific trailheads and parking lots
• High use trailheads and parking lots
• Trailhead and parking lot areas not easily visible from homes
• Existing infrastructure to mount cameras on poles or similar structures
• Wi-Fi and power access (or solar-powered option)
Below is the list of the potential locations identified in 2021:
FACILITY HIGH
PRIORITY
TRAILHEAD, PARKING LOT
OR STREET PARKING
Hesse Park Parking Lot
Ryan Park Parking Lot
PVIC Parking Lot
Pelican Cove Parking lot
Abalone Cove YES Parking lot
Ladera Linda Comm. Park Forrestal Dr. YES Parking lot and Forrestal Drive
Marilyn Ryan Sunset Point Park Parking lot
Founders Park Parking lot
Eastview Park Parking lot
Vanderlip Park Street parking
Del Cerro (Park Place) YES Parking lot
Burma Gate YES Trailhead
Rattlesnake Gate Trailhead
Crenshaw Blvd. Street parking
Crest Rd. near intersection with Crenshaw
Blvd.
Street parking
Vicente Bluffs - Calle Entradero Lot YES Parking lot
La Rotunda Lot YES Parking lot, and parking along road
Trump National Dr. Street parking
Six locations (Abalone Cove Reserve, Ladera Linda Community Park, Del Cerro Park,
Burma Gate at Portuguese Bend Reserve, Vicente Bluffs Reserve at the Calle Entradero
parking lot, and the La Rotonda parking lot at Ocean Trails Reserve) were identified as
“high priority” based on their popularity and their comparatively isolated locations.
Based on the high priority areas and available resources, the City Council directed Staff
to request bids for Burma Road and Del Cerro, to identify a third location, and to return to
the City Council with a scope of work and cost estimates. Initial research on camera
options and pricing was conducted, but progress on this project was delayed and a third
site was not identified due to competing priorities and a focus on researching and
developing a camera system for the Ladera Linda Community Park project.
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Between now and then, technology has improved and costs have come down, and Staff
was able to negotiate the installation of 12 cameras at nine locations for the Council’s
consideration, as discussed below.
DISCUSSION:
Cameras can act as a crime deterrent, increase public safety awareness, and facilitate
the apprehension of perpetrators, particularly in isolated locations. The following are two
types of security camera systems:
A. Supervised Camera System: These systems require allocated security personnel
monitoring the system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These systems are
typically specified for institutions such as schools with full-time dedicated security
staff. Cameras used for this system are typically pan-tilt-zoom. The advantage of
a supervised system is that incidents are witnessed in real time by staff. The
disadvantages of this type of system are monthly personnel costs for staff, as well
as higher equipment and lifecycle costs, as pan-tilt-zoom cameras are more
expensive than fixed cameras and need to be replaced more often.
B. Unsupervised Camera System: An unsupervised camera security system records
camera footage for after-the-fact incident viewing and can also be viewed in real
time if desired. This type of system uses fixed cameras. The main advantage is
that there are no monthly personnel costs for staff to view footage in real time.
Also, equipment lifecycle costs are lower than for supervised systems.
A supervised system is not recommended due to its high costs in relation to the cost
impact of burglary or vandalism. An unsupervised system has a deterrent effect while
still enabling staff and law enforcement to effectively investigate crimes and incidents.
Staff researched a number of unsupervised camera systems in 2021 that ranged in cost
from $5,000 to $10,000 per unit based on type/height of pole, power source, type of
camera and other factors. Technological advances in this area have lowered prices
considerably in recent years. A system of 15 unsupervised cameras were installed at the
new Ladera Linda Community Park which opened in February 2024.
Recently, Open Space Management Staff (OSM) have purchased five Tactacam Reveal
3.0 cameras for the Preserve at trailheads and on trails, including in the Del Cerro area.
These cameras have night vision capability and are motion-activated, self-contained,
portable, easily installed and mounted by staff, and solar powered with excellent
resolution. Staff can activate a live feed from any camera when desired and can also
access past recordings. One camera is being used at Burma Gate. The other four are
being positioned throughout the Preserve at key locations as needed in response to
reports of illicit activity.
In light of this, Staff recommends purchasing twelve (12) additional Tactacam Reveal
cameras and data plans to operate them as an expanded pilot program. The purchase
cost for each camera and associated equipment is $371 with an unlimited data plan at
$105 per camera/per year. The first-year total cost for would be $7,712 which consists
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of a one-time purchase price of $4,452 for twelve cameras, an annual data plan of $1,260,
and an estimated installation/signage cost of $2,000. The approximate cost for an
additional year would be $1,260 to cover annual data cost expenses.
Below is a list of the recommended nine locations for the 12 cameras:
• Pelican Cove Parking Lot (2 cameras)
• Park Place Parking Lot
• Vicente Bluffs/Parking Lot at Calle Entradero
• Marilyn Ryan Sunset Point Park
• La Rotonda Parking Lot
• Rattlesnake Trailhead
• Hesse Park Parking Lot (2 cameras)
• Point Vicente Interpretive Center Parking Lot (2 cameras)
• Ryan Park Parking Lot
Due to their size, two cameras have been assigned to the parking lots at the Point Vicente
Interpretive Center, Hesse Park, and Pelican Cove. Staff will monitor the effectiveness
of the cameras during the initial year of operation and make recommendations to the City
Council as needed. Cameras would be positioned to focus on the public trailheads and
parking lots, not private property. The cameras would be located in prominent locations
that are visible to the public with accompanying identifying signage to increase their
deterrent value. Tactacam’s warranty extends for one-year from purchase and covers
the repair or replacement of manufacturing defects. Cameras will be installed with a
locking mechanism and a hard-shell case to minimize the risk of theft or vandalism. Below
are pictures of a sample sign and the Tactacam Reveal camera.
CONCLUSION:
Security at City-owned open space areas and parking lots is an ongoing concern. Staff
recommends, as a pilot program, to purchase and install 12 surveillance cameras at nine
designated locations to increase deterrence and improve the ability to investigate illicit
activities in those areas.
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ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for the
City Council’s consideration:
1. Direct Staff not to procure and install the Tactacam Reveal surveillance cameras.
2. Approve a different number of surveillance cameras to be installed and operated
for the pilot program.
3. Take other action as deemed appropriate.
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