Title
Staff Report for Public Safety Camera System Policy Considerations and Planning
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff is currently replacing all security cameras in City Hall and the Police Department due to the age and poor quality of the equipment. As part of this project, staff recommends adding public safety cameras, coupled with Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in two locations. Staff recommendations meet the guidelines published by the United States Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Office and research conducted by the Urban Institute Justice Policy Center.
Staff recommends authorizing staff to bring a project to the City Council to replace the security cameras at City Hall and the Police Department, and to add public safety cameras with license plate readers at two public locations, consistent with the proposed administrative policy related to the City's use of public safety cameras.
DISCUSSION
In September 2013, staff presented a report to the City Council on the use of public safety cameras to enhance public safety and crime deterrent technology. Staff believes that the City Council should consider a public safety camera policy prior to the enhanced use of public safety cameras. The inclusion of automatic license plate readers as part of this project is already covered by an existing policy.
The Police Department currently has limited use of video monitoring in the following areas:
1. Police Department (Internal, including the jail)
2. Police Department (External, including parking areas)
The effective use of public safety cameras can increase a police department's ability to control, reduce and prevent crime. Local municipalities already have or are considering strategic placement of public safety cameras to enhance current public safety and crime prevention programs and deter illegal activities. Public safety cameras provide for greater coverage of a geographical area than po...
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