To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sheriff’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Colette Owens, 565-3149
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force Agreement with Flock Group Inc. for Flock Safety Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Technology
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Sheriff-Coroner, as the fiscal agent for the Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force (SONCATT), to execute an Agreement with Flock Group Inc. for an Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system for a not-to-exceed amount of $426,950 for an initial two-year term.
B) Authorize the Sheriff-Coroner to sign amendments to extend the Agreement for three additional one-year terms, provided that SONCATT can fully cover the costs of the Agreement, at a cost not-to-exceed $200,000 annually.
C) Receive the Sheriff’s Automated License Plate Recognition presentation for public comment pursuant to Senate Bill 34 (2015).
end
Executive Summary:
The Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force (SONCATT) comprised of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, along with the California Highway Patrol, Santa Rosa Police Department, and Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chief’s Association was established by the Board of Supervisors in 1998 and has worked to deter, investigate, and prosecute vehicle theft crimes. SONCATT has a desire to establish an Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system to assist in addressing the vehicle theft problem in Sonoma County. The proposed contract with Flock Group Inc. will allow for the deployment of fixed Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology at strategic locations in Sonoma County to aid in the detection and recovery of stolen vehicles, locating vehicles related to an investigation, and identify vehicles used in the commission of a crime. The Sheriff, as the fiscal agent of SONCATT, is the official designated to manage SONCATT administrative functions, which includes professional service agreements. The Sheriff is providing an accompanying ALPR presentation for public comment, as required by SB 34 (Civil Code section 1798.90.55(a)), to explain SONCATT’s and its member agencies intended use of ALPR.
Discussion:
SONCATT
On June 23, 1992, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 92-1040 approving the implementation of Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force (SONCATT), a vehicle theft task force, funded and operated under California Vehicle Code Section 9250.14. Vehicle Code 9250.14 allows the County of Sonoma to collect a fee from every vehicle registration in the County in order to fund eligible programs that enhance the capacity to investigate and prosecute vehicle theft crimes. The Board of Supervisors has designated SONCATT as the agency in control of the county-wide vehicle theft apprehension program. SONCATT is comprised of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, along with the California Highway Patrol, Santa Rosa Police Department, and Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chief’s Association. Since 1998, when SONCATT was established as a collaborative multi-agency effort, the Task Force has pursued the mission to address vehicle theft in Sonoma County. The SONCATT Council makes operational decisions pertaining to SONCATT and recommends an annual budget to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, which is incorporated as part of the Sheriff’s FY 23-24 Adopted Budget. The Sheriff is the designated fiscal agent of SONCATT and therefore is the entity required to enter into Agreements on behalf of SONCATT. SONCATT has a desire to utilize ALPR technology in its efforts to investigate vehicle theft crimes and recover stolen vehicles.
Automatic License Plate Recognition
Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology is used to increase public safety and the recovery of stolen property. ALPR technology includes providing real-time alerts when the camera detects a license plate of a stolen vehicle or a suspect’s vehicle. ALPR technology uses a combination of cameras and software to scan passing vehicles. The cameras capture computer-readable images of license plates and vehicles to create vehicle location data. The cameras can integrate information from national or state crime databases to provide real-time alerts when a vehicle associated with a known suspect or stolen vehicle passes the camera. This investigative tool will help staff improve the number of successful outcomes of investigative cases and reduce the time investigators spend following up on investigative leads, allowing investigators to address a higher volume of cases. The vendor is responsible for implementing the system and training users.
Local and Statewide use of ALPR
ALPR has been proven by other law enforcement agencies to increase the effectiveness of investigations after a crime is committed. ALPR technology is currently in use in the cities of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Cotati, and Petaluma. The City of Sonoma, Town of Windsor and Sonoma State University are all in the process of obtaining the technology. In consulting with various SONCATT supervisors and law enforcement agencies, numerous California Auto Theft Task Forces funded and operating under California Vehicle Code 9250.14 are also using ALPR technology with tremendous success, increasing the recovery of stolen vehicles. The Sheriff’s Office recently received Board approval to apply for a grant that, if awarded, would allow for the purchase, use, and evaluation of ALPR technology for a larger Sheriff’s Office-wide program. Grant award are notifications are expected to be released mid-September.
Proposed Agreement
The Sheriff, on behalf of SONCATT, is requesting authorization to execute the proposed Agreement to establish a SONCATT ALPR system as provided by Flock Group Inc. County Purchasing has approved a sole source waiver for this procurement. The proposed Agreement includes 63 cameras strategically placed throughout Sonoma County. The Agreement allows for equipment and costs to be modified as locations are identified. SONCATT will work with various jurisdictions for placement, obtaining necessary approvals, and ALPR equipment will only be installed in locations where the governing body has previously approved an ALPR policy.
SONCATT will not use ALPR for any purpose other than investigating crimes that have been committed. Data will only be accessible to trained staff with a legitimate law enforcement need and will not be retained beyond 30 days. Senate Bill 34 requires that public agencies intending to operate an ALPR system shall allow an opportunity for public comment at a regularly scheduled public meeting of the governing body of the public agency. The Sheriff’s accompanying presentation includes details regarding the technology, intended use, data retention, existing policies, and training. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures are in compliance with Civil Code Sections 1798.90.5 - 1798.90.54 of SB 34 (refer to Sheriff Office Policy 430 attached and on the Sheriff’s Office website <https://static1.squarespace.com/static/542ec317e4b0d41ade8801fb/t/6478d7f6202c916e5bfbd9f7/1685641254098/RELEASE_20230601_T115654_Sonoma+County+Sheriff%27s+Office+Policy+Manual+06.01.23.pdf>.
The total cost of the proposed Agreement will be $426,950 for two years. First-year costs will not exceed $237,950 and include installation fees. Both years included equipment replacement and maintenance. The second-year costs will not exceed $189,000. The Sheriff is requesting authorization to sign amendments to extend the Agreement for three additional one-year terms, provided that SONCATT can fully cover the costs of the Agreement. Amounts will be budgeted annually in SONCATT’s budget via the Sheriff’s Office annual budget. This Agreement will have no impact on the General Fund.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
6/9/23 - Board approved application of grant by the Sheriff’s Office for procurement of ALPR technology for the Sheriff’s Office program.
6/13/22 - Board authorized MOU for Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and Probation Department participation in SONCATT for 7/1/22 - 6/30/27
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 23-24 Adopted |
FY 24-25 Projected |
FY 25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$238,000 |
$189,000 |
$200,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$238,000 |
$189,000 |
$200,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$238,000 |
$189,000 |
$200,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
California Vehicle Code Section 9250.14 provides SONCATT with funding to be exclusively used to “enhance the capacity of local police and prosecutors to deter, investigate and prosecute vehicle theft crimes”. This Agreement will be fully funded by SONCATT and will have no impact on the General Fund. The Sheriff’s FY 23-24 Adopted Budget includes appropriations for this contract. The FY 25-26 projected cost of $200,000 (Year 3) is increased over the prior two years to allow for the replacement of broken cameras and/or unanticipated maintenance needs.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Flock Group Inc. Services Agreement
Sheriff’s Office ALPR Presentation
Sheriff’s Office Policy 430 - Automated License Plate Readers
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A