HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-12-14 City Council (28)TO:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL 18
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
AGENDA DATE: DECEMBER 14, 1998 CMR:461:98
SUBJECT:BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE ACCEPTING CITIZENS
OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) FUNDS
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends Council adopt the attached Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) in the
amount of $136,457 appropriate funds provided to the Police Department by the State of
California and allocated by the Santa Clara County as set forth in Government Code Section
30061.
BACKGROUND
The 1998 Budget Act signed into law by Governor Wilson on August 18, 1998, allocated $100
million to counties and cities for the continuation of the Citizens Option for Public Safety
Program (COPS). Similar funding was provided over the last two years under the auspices of
Assembly Bills 1584 and 3229. These bills were enacted to fill the need for additional resources
at the local levels to ensure public safety.
Under the provisions of Government Code Section 30061, 75 percent of the funds are allocated
to counties and cities based upon population for front-line law enforcement services, including
community crime prevention and anti-gang activities. Funds must supplement existing services
and cannot be used to supplant any existing funds. Each county is required to continue the
operation of a Supplemental .Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) to receive the State
funds and each agency’s proposal for use of the funds must be approved by the County’s
Supplemental Law Enforcement Oversight Committee (SLEOC). Prior to sending the proposal
to the SLEOC, the bill requires that each city conduct a public hearing for the purposes of
reviewing and approving the Police Department’s request for expenditure of funds.
CMR:461:98 Page 1 of 5
In addition to reviewing all of the proposals to determine whether the expenditure of the funds
is in compliance with the legislation, the SLEOC is responsible for producing an annual report
to the public.
Each city is also required to deposit the funds into the separate SLESF that was established last
year so that these monies are not intermingled with General Fund dollars. The City’s financial
officer must also provide monthly investment reports and the City must submit an annual audit
report.
DISCUSSION
Staff proposes to spend this year’s COPS fund in the following manner:
Video Camerasin Patrol Vehicles Pilot Program: $30,000
Video technology has become instrumental in law enforcement training, evidence collection,
and for officer safety purposes. Staff proposes to install video cameras and recorders in five
patrol vehicles. The vehicles would be used primarily by field training officers as a training tool
to enhance officer safety. The video tapes will also have an evidentiary value and assist officers
in prosecution during regular traffic stops, drunk driving arrests and police pursuits,
SWAT Night Vision Scope and Listening Device,: $9,300
The SWAT team is utilized to contain and resolve critical situations while minimizing risk to
other officers and the public. These situations can often include hostages or barricaded suspects
and high risk warrant service. A high powered night vision scope will allow team sniper
members the capability of pinpointing high risk suspects during the hours of darkness. In
conjunction with an existing state-of-the-art video surveillance equipment, a listening device
capable of picking up low level conversations from a distance will enable team members to
gather crucial information and assist in the successful resolution of a critical incident.
Body Bunkers: $9,000
An alarming increase in violent crimes and the weapons used to commit them is an ongoing
concern for law enforcement agencies. Staffproposes to equip six patrol vehicles with portable
ballistic shields to be utilized by officers during the initial response to critical incidents. As first
CMR:461:98 Page 2 of 5
responders, patrol officers are confronted with some of the most serious and life threating
situations. These body bunkers will allow for safer approaches by officers.
Stinger Spikes: $5,357
The Police Department currently utilizes three sets of "stinger spikes" in supervisors’ vehicles
for the purpose of safely ending police pursuits. These portable spikes currently function as fire
deflation devices when positioned in front of a suspect’s vehicle. With only three sets, it has
been difficult to have the vehicles containing the spikes available and in position to be used.
Staff proposes to equip eight additional vehicles with these devices resulting in more pursuits
that end quicker and more safely.
Equipment for Patrol Vehicle: $14,700
The patrol function within the Department has continued to experience a shortage of vehicles.
Many factors contribute to this shortage including: inclement weather when motorcycle officers
need to drive cars; staffing during special events; training exercises; and down time due to
scheduled and nonscheduled maintenance and repair of vehicles. The Department will attempt
to help alleviate this shortage by reallocating an unmarked vehicle to patrol. Staff proposes to
use COPS funds for outfitting a patrol vehicle with emergency and radio equipment, a mobile
computer, data radi0; modem; and associated software.
Property and Evidence Bar Coding System: $33,000
The importance of the proper storage, retrieval and purging of evidence has gained considerable
attention over the last several years. Mishandling and improper storage can have severe
consequences, such as charges not being filed by the District Attorney, mistrials, and acquittals.
The Department manually processes over 6,000 pieces of new property and evidence each year
and currently maintains an inventory of over 15,000 pieces. A bar coding system of property
and evidence would increase the efficiency of the property room, provide a complete audit trail,
electronically record the chain of evidence, allow for flexibility to process evidence quickly at
an actual crime scene, provide reports on inventory, and diminish the amount of property and
evidence in the property room by automatic electronic notification to citizens.
Digital Photography System: $20,000
CMR:461:98 Page 3 of 5
As technology advances and the quality of digital, images improves, law enforcement agencies
are turning to digital photography systems for crime scenes, victim injuries, sex offender photo
databases, in-field photographs, traffic collisions, and employee photo databases. Although the
Department currently utilizes digital cameras, Officers and evidence technicians lack the
sophisticated peripherals to process the photographs. The acquisition of additional cameras and
flash cards, a computer system, scanner, and printer will enhance the investigative and evidence
collection processes.
Varda Alarm System: $3,500
This portable alarm system will be placed in specific high crime locations where traditionally
officers would be required to stake out an area and provide surveillance for extended periods
oftitne. This system can be used as: 1) a body heat sensor for property crimes; 2) a bait money
transmitter for convenience stores or banks; 3) or as a pocket panic transmitter for robbery and
rape cases. When the alarm is tripped by an intruder or victim, a pre-recorded voice message
is automatically activated on the police radio frequency. This enables officers to respond
directly to a crime scene as the crime is occurring and greatly increases the chances of
apprehending the suspect.
Cellular Phones: $1,600
Much of an investigator’s work is conducted away from the office, often in other cities and in
situations where a phone is not readily available. Supplying each investigator, their supervisors
and manager with a cell phone will increase the ability of the detective to respond to serious
crime scenes faster and communicate with witnesses, officers, and other investigators in a more
timely fashion.
Computer Generated Presentation Equipment: $10,000
Using computers combined with electronic presentation software programs and multi-media
projection systems is an effective way to present information to any audience. For instance,
during the recent flood situation, updated information from a computer was projected on a
screen in the City Emergency Operations Center using a multi-media projector.. An overhead
projector to project computerized presentations will be used in community meetings and for
training within the Department and in the community. The Department will use the multi-media
projector for community outreach presentations, citizen academy classes, neighborhood
meetings, in-house training for officers and staff, and other situations where laptops are used
to project information on a screen.
CMR:461:98 Page 4 of 5
RESOURCE IMPACT
Palo Alto’s allocation of COPS funds totals $136,457. These funds have been received by the
City and have been deposited into the Ci,ty’s Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund.
This BAO will have no affect on the Budget Stabilization Reserve.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Expenditures of funds associated with the BAO are consistent with City policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
This is not a project subject to CEQA requirements.
ATTACHMENTS
Budget Amendment Ordinance
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
Pete Hazarian, Police Administrator
EMILY HARRI~-’~N, Assistant City Manager
CMR:461:98 Page 5 of 5
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING
THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1998-99 TO PROVIDE AN
ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF $13 6 ,.457 FOR THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT TO RECEIVE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR THE CITIZENS
OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) PROGRAM -STATE ASSEMBLY
BILL (AB) 1584.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of Article III
of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto, the Council on June 22, 1997
did adopt a budget for fiscal year 1998-99; and
WHEREAS, AB 1584 (ch. 289, statutes of 1997) provides
supplemental funding for local law enforcement agencies under the COPS
Program; and
WHEREAS, the City received an allocation~ of $136,457, as
supplemental funding; and
WHEREAS, the areas to receive allocation are: $30,000 for video
cameras in patrol vehicles; $9,300 for SWAT equipment; $9,000 for body
bunkers; $5,357 ~for stinger spikes; $14,700 for patrol vehicle
outfitting; $33,000 for a bar coding system for property~and evidence~
$20,000 for digital photography system; $3,500 for a ’varda alarm
system; $1,600 for cellular phones; $i0,000 for compu~:e~ generated
presentation equipment; and ~.
WHEREAS, the funds will be deposited into the Law Enforcement
Services Fund, and use of the allocation will be submitted to the
County’s Supplemental Law Enforcement Oversight Committee; and
WHEREAS, City Council authorization is needed to accept and
expend the grant receipts; and
WHEREAS, City Council authorization is needed to amend the 1998-
99 budget as hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN
as follows:
SECTION i. The sum of OneHundred Thirty Six Thousand Four
Hundred Fifty Seven Dollars ($136,457) is hereby appropriated to the
Law Enforcement Services Fund and expenses in this fund are
correspondingly increased.
SECTION 2. This transaction will have no effect on the Budget
Stabilization Reserve.
SECTION 3. As specified in Section 2.28~080(a) of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code, a two-thirds vote of the City Council is required to
adopt this ordinance.
SECTION 4. The Council of ~the City of Palo Alto hereby finds
that the enactment of this ordinance is not a project under the
California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, no environmental
impact assessment is necessary.
SECTION 5. As provided in Section 2.04.350 of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code, this ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:City Manager
Senior Asst. City Attorney
Administrative
Department Director
Chief of Police
Services