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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 7609 City of Palo Alto (ID # 7609) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 1/30/2017 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: Approval of Acceptance of COPS Funds Title: Approval of the Acceptance and Expenditure of Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Funds on Various Law Enforcement Equipment and Approval of a Budget Amendment in the Law Enforcement Services Fund From: City Manager Lead Department: Police RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Approve the acceptance and expenditure of Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) funds from the State of California; and 2. Amend the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Appropriation Ordinance for the Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) by: a. Increasing the estimate for Revenue from Other Agencies - State by $105,042; and, b. Increasing the Police Department Facilities and Equipment appropriation by $105,042. BACKGROUND Since 1997, the California State Budget Act has included allocations to counties and cities for the COPS program. This funding is intended to fill the need for additional resources at the local level to ensure public safety. Under the provisions of Government Code Section 30061, a percentage of the funds are allocated to counties and cities, based upon population, for law enforcement services. Funds must supplement existing services and cannot be used to supplant any existing funds. Each city is also required to deposit the funds into a separate Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund so that these funds are not intermingled with General Fund dollars. Previous uses of COPS funds have included the purchase of a replacement K-9 unit, crime scene evidence collection vehicle, firearm instructor hearing protection, surveillance equipment, interview recording system, mobile data terminals, youth program activities, upgrades to the telecommunications infrastructure, upgrades to the patrol vehicle and traffic motorcycle programs, and property and evidence operational and security improvements. City of Palo Alto Page 2 The Police Department has received funds each year under this program since its inception in 1998. Annual allocations have averaged $100,000 over the last few years. DISCUSSION Staff proposes to use the COPS funds in the following manner: Privacy Barrier ($11,000) This is a weighted, adjustable, 22 screen panel privacy screen system which functions on adjustable heavy weight tripods with wheeled travel bags that is easily transportable, easily assembly and easily adjusted to crime scene needs. This system shields the public from serious accidents or crime scenes and protects involved parties from an early release of their personal information, such as license plates or photos. The system also protects from aerial media footage. The CSI team does not have an adequate way to protect and shield the public from serious crimes scenes, particularly some of note include train-related incidents and fatal accidents. FLIR Units ($8,000) Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) units are handheld thermal night vision monocular built specifically for law enforcement. This powerful, yet simple, imager gives Law Enforcement an advantage when searching for evidence or pursuing a suspect during darkness. A person can be detected based on heat sources left in their wake, although the image is not detailed, or able to specifically identify someone. The newest technology features enhanced resolution displays, extended zoom capabilities, and video output. Ballistic Helmets with Shields ($20,000) Level IIIA Ballistic helmets are critical to protecting officers during critical incident response and patrol officers carry them with them every day. Officers are also required to train with these helmets several times a year. The current helmets are heavy and cumbersome. New technology has reduced the weight of the helmet by 2/3 the original weight and improved the ballistic technology. This purchase would allow the department to purchase these newer helmets for all patrol officers. Fit Test Machine ($12,000) The police department requires full time and reserve officers to wear full face respirators and N95 particulate masks when exposed to certain environments. Due to the annual fit testing requirements, we are seeking to purchase a Quantitative fit testing machine to perform required annual tests. Quantitative fit testing (QNFT) uses an instrument to determine the amount of leakage between the sealing surface of the respirator and the face by measuring the concentration of a test agent both inside and outside of the respirator during a series of test exercises and then calculating an overall fit factor. The OHD Quantifit City of Palo Alto Page 3 machine is accepted by OSHA and complies with federal testing regulations. This is the newest, most accurate technology for fit testing. Long Range Acoustical Device ($8,000) The Long Range Acoustical Device (LRAD) allows Crisis Negotiators to send a focused beam of sound 600 yards away which allows the person on the other end can hear clear, concise instructions. CNT currently uses older technology which consists of a loud speaker to negotiate, exposing the officer to unnecessary danger. The LRAD would allow negotiators to communicate remotely with it via Bluetooth thereby not placing our negotiators in harm’s way. The LRAD system has applicability in the crowd control realm as well. FARO 3D Scanner System ($35,000) Handheld laser scanner that allows the user to scan a crime scene in 3D in a matter of minutes. It provides the ability to measure and scan in hard to reach areas as well as the ability to process an entire room. This will solve two current time consuming tasks that the Crime Scene Investigation team is faced with on every scene. Processing a scene currently requires us to photograph the scene and then measure the scene which usually requires at least two people with varying degrees of accuracy. This would allow one person to scan the scene and create an end product that not only looks professional but will also be highly accurate. This is the newest version of this technology and would directly benefit first responders. Gun Boxes ($10,000) California requires the safe storage of firearms in both vehicles and homes. Negligent storage can result in criminal prosecution. Officers frequently take their department issued firearm to and from home, as well as to training and classes. There is new, more reasonable technology on the market which allows a small, locked security box to be mounted in vehicles. This law is new to California and resulted primarily from firearm thefts from vehicles. The department would purchase one small security box for each officer for both home and vehicle and require mandatory usage of the box when their department issued firearm whenever they were not in physical custody of it. RESOURCE IMPACT A total of $105,042 of expenditures are anticipated, all of which will be covered by grant funding. There will be no impact to the General Fund as ongoing maintenance costs for the items purchased by the SLESF will be absorbed in the Department’s existing non-salary budget. The City received the official notice (http://www.sco.ca.gov/Files-ARD- Payments/copsdofletter_1617.pdf) from the California Department of Finance in September 2016 that the City’s COPS allocation for Fiscal Year 2016 is $105,042. Revenues and expenditures of $105,042 are recommended to be appropriated in the City’s Law Enforcement Services Fund. City of Palo Alto Page 4 POLICY IMPLICATIONS Expenditures of funds associated with COPS funds are consistent with City Policy. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Acceptance of COPS funding and the proposed expenditures for public safety equipment are not projects subject to CEQA requirements.