HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-13 City Council (11)TO:
FROM:
City
City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT:POLICE
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DECEMBER 13, 2004 CMR:503:04
PUBLIC HEARING AND ACCEPTANCE OF CITIZENS OPTIONS FOR
PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 FOR
THE PURCHASE OF A BAR CODING’ SYSTEM, EVIDENCE
COLLECTION AND DETECTION EQUIPMENT, UPGRADE OF
HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION EQUIPMENT, LAPTOP FOR SEXUAL
ASSAULT INVESTIGATIONS, AND UPGRADES OF THE POLICE
MOTORCYCLE PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATIONS
staff recommends the City Council approve the acceptance of Citizens Options for Public Safety
(COPS) funds in the amount of $100,000 for the purchase of bar coding system, evidence collection and
detection equipment, upgrade of hostage negotiation equipment, laptop for sexual assault investigations,
and upgrade of police motorcycles.
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, 75 percent 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 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 the 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 purpose of reviewing and
approving the Police Department’s request for expenditure of funds. Each city is also required to
deposit the funds into a separate SLESF so that these funds are not intermingled with General Fund
dollars. The funds must be expended within two years after receipt. Council has approved accepting
COPS funding for the last seven years.
Previous uses of COPS funds have included the purchase of safety equipment, surveillance equipment,
mobile data terminals, Positive Alternatives for Youth (PAY) program activities, upgrades to the
telecommunications infrastructure associated with the Computer Aided Dispatch system, for an
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additional sergeant position for the Special Problems Team, and a captain position and associated
training to assist in the City’s homeland security efforts.
DISCUSSION
Staff proposes to use this year’s COPS funds in the following maimer:
Bar-Coding System for Property and Evidence: $40,000
Bar-coding technology is quickly becoming the industry standard for police department property and
evidence rooms, enhancing the ability to store, locate and track the whereabouts, of property and
evidence. Bar-coding technology also improves speed and accuracy of the evidence lifecycle; produces
instant chain of custody reports; tracks disposition and destruction of individual items; and produces
standard and user defined reports for both internal management and external auditing purposes. A
recent Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report cited the lack of a bar-coding system as one of the
deficiencies associated with the Palo Alto Police Department property and evidence function. Staff
proposes to implement a bar-coding system for the property and evidence room to e~hance efficiency
and effectiveness.
Evidence Collection Team Equipment: $6,000
The Evidence Team is responsible for identifying, collecting and processing all physical evidence at
major crime scenes. Staff proposes to purchase two laptop computers and three specialty cases to store
and transport evidence collection equipment. The laptop computers will enable the Evidence Team to
be linked to the Department’s computer aided dispatch (CAD) and records systems and national
databases directly from the crime.scene. Once the bar coding system for property and evidence function
is implemented, evidence team members will be able to tag and enter evidence directly into the records
system. The purchase of tlzree large, portable, unbreakable, chemical resistant, plastic cases would
provide a portable evidence collection kit for each of the two shifts in Patrol and one for the detectives.
These kits would include all the basic evidence collection equipment necessary to process a small to
medium size crime scene.
Forensic Evidence Detection Equipment: $35,000
Quality evidence collection and preservation techniques benefit the investigation, identification and
prosecution of individuals involved in criminal activities. Latent fingerprints, trace evidence, and body
fluids yielding DNA are only some of the types of valuable evidence. Staff proposes to purchase
equipment that will enable investigators the ability to identify and capture trace evidence and latent
fingerprints at crime scenes using state of the art equipment. A special viewing unit attached to a
digital camera utilizing reflective ultraviolet imaging technology wilt be invaluable in identifying latent
fingerprints that are invisible to the naked eye without the use of powders, chemicals or vapor
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treatments of anykind, This product has proven to be both a non-destructive and non-corrosive method
of discovering evidence at a crime scene. This also means less clean-up and reduced crime scene
contamination, as well as less damage to property and evidence. In addition, a portable argon laser will
be used to detect trace evidence and illuminating fluorescent fingerprint powder for photographic
purposes.
Hostage Negotiation Team Equipment Upgrade: $7,000
The goal of the Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) is to negotiate a critical incident situation to a
peaceful resolution. The HNT, used in conjunction with the SWAT Team, is often used for barricaded
suspects as well as for hostage situations. The teclmology associated with the monitoring equipment
used by the HNT has progressed substantially since the last equipment was purchased over seven years
ago. An upgrade to the current equipment includes a new "throw" phone with built-in color cameras
and an additional monitor, which can be interfaced with a digital recorder. This system will provide the
Department with clearer video/audio monitoring capabilities and provide better information to the HNT
and SWAT teams in real time. The system will enable the Department to digitally record the video feed
for a permanent record of the event.
Laptop Computer for Sexual Assault Investigations $1,500
Staff proposes to utilize funds to purchase a laptop computer to be used by sexual assault detectives
during the course of an investigation to connnunicate with suspected sexual predators and outside law
enforcement agencies. Using a laptop for this purpose, rather than a fixed desktop workstation
will ensure absolute anonymity as a law enforcement agency, will protect the City’s network as many of
the online activities can include sexually explicit information, and ensures maximum flexibility by
allowing for remote access to this system in the field during an investigation.
Police Motorcycle ~pgrade $10,500
Since 1995, when the City reinstated the police motorcycle program, the Department has utilized the
Kawasaki as their enforcement motorcycle. Since then, BMW has entered the police market and has
introduced a motorcycle that is safer, more ergonomic, better handling, quieter, more fuel efficient, less
expensive to operate, and maintains its resale value better than the Kawasaki and other police
motorcycles on the market. Six of the Kawasald’s are due for replacement during the next two years.
Staff proposes to utilize COPS funds to accelerate the replacement of the Kawasaki motorcycles and
help offset the initial incremental costs to upgrade to the BMWs.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Palo Alto’s $100,000 allocation of COPS funds have been received by the City and deposited into the
City’s Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF). Revenues and expenses of $100,000
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will be budgeted in the City’s SLESF as part of the mid-year report. Replacement costs will be
budgeted in the Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure Fund.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Expenditures of funds associated with COPS funds are consistent with City policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
This is not a project subject to CEQA requirements.
PREPARED BY:
Senior Administrator
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
LYNNE IIOHNSON
Police Chief
Assistant City Manager
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