HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-12-13 City Council (27)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
DATE:DECEMBER 13, 1999 - CMR:451:99
SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURE OF ASSET SEIZURE FLrNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $31,625
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve expenditures in the amount of $31,625 from the Asset
Seizure Fund to cover costs for Livescan digital database software and hardware, a multi-plexer,
video/audio recording equipment for the Holding area, and updated software for the Technology
to Recover Abducted Kids (TRAK), and a printer.
BACKGROUND
The California Health and Safety Code governs the seizure and forfeiture of property and money
associated with drug trafficking. Seizures typically occur during arrest or search warrant service
related to the sales of narcotics. Palo Alto officers, as well as representatives of other multi-
agency task forces, seize funds. Legislation mandates that seized funds are not to be used to
defer normal operating expenses, but should be used for special purchases and projects
associated with law enforcement activities.
In Santa Clara County, a Deputy District Attorney is specifically assigned to handle asset
forfeiture cases and to help local agencies properly process their cases. Monies seized by law
enforcement agencies are held by the District Attorney’s Office in a special account until
spe.cific cases are adjudicated. The process of seizing funds is a civil proceeding, wholly
independent of any criminal filing or conviction and requires strict procedural adherence. At
the conclusion of the Superior Court proceedings, funds are returned to the law enforcement
agencies. For the City of Palo Alto, these funds are deposited into an Asset Seizure Fund created
by the City’s Administrative Services Department; and with City Council approval, released for
expenditure purposes.
CMR:451:99 Page 1 of 3
DISCUSSION
Currently, the Asset Seizure Fund totals approximately $69,600. The Police Department
proposes spending $31,625 in Asset Seizure funds in the following manner:
Livescan software/hardware ($11,000) - Recently the State mandated the implementation of the
Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)iLivescan. Additionally, Santa Clara
County notified agencies that, effective December 6, 1999, all informal bookings for
misdemeanors that are released on citation and which heretofore had been conducted at the
County Jail must be conducted at the Police Department. Part of the booking process includes
taking two photographs of each arrestee. The software and hardware staff intends to purchase
will facilitate the electronic transfer of the photographs to the County’s database. The software
also allows for storage, retrieval and searches of thousands of booking photos.
Multi-plexer ($8,100) - The Police Department investigates numerous cases each year that
involve the use of video surveillance. Cases include bank robberies, shoplifting, etc. Often
important evidence is captured in these videos that show suspects in several different frames
captured on multiple video cameras. Currently, in order to use the video frames for
identification, Police staff must either borrow multi-plexers owned by department stores or
contract with a company to produce still photographs from the videos. Staff intends to purchase
a multi-plexer that would make it more convenient to deal with these cases.
Video/Audio Recording Equipment for the Holding Area ($6,000) - The majority of suspects
who are arrested for major crimes are brought to the Police Department for pre-booking
processing and interviews prior to being taken to jail. Additionally, the majority of people
arrested for driving under the influence are brought to the Department’s holding area for
chemical testing and sobriety tests. Prosecution of the associated cases is significantly aided by
recording the interviews and behaviors of the arrestees. Currently, the Department has one
room in an unsecured area of the building that video/audio recording can be done. Staff intends
to equip the holding area, a more secure portion of the building, with similar equipment.
Registered Sex Offender Software ($4,725) - The Police Department implemented the TRAK
system about three years ago. The system was developed to provide law enforcement agencies
with the ability to develop and deliver fliers of missing/abducted children or suspects wanted
for serious crimes to an unlimited number of agencies within minutes. An enhancement to the
original software creates a database of registered sex offenders and will allow the exchange of
registered sex offender information between agencies in a more timely and expeditious manner.
CMR:451:99 Page 2 of 3
Computer Printer ($1,800) - Staff has identified a need for a new computer for the Investigative
Services staff that would .be dedicated to California Law Enforcement Telecommunications
System (CLETS) and State Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (SLETS). New
printers have the capability of printing up to 17 pages per minute on worksheet size paper that
in more compatible with the Department’s optical imaging system.
RESOURCE IMPACT
In compliance with Staterequirements, the City has an established Asset Seizure Fund in which
monies are deposited. If the staff recommendation is approved, a $37,975 balance will remain.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Expenditures of funds are consistent with State regulations and City policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
This is not a project subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements.
PREPARED BY: Lynne Johnson, Assistant Police Chief
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
Patrick Dwyer, Chi ,~f of Police
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ~. ~L~_~
Emily Harrison, Assistant City Manager
CMR:451:99 Page 3 of 3