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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVideo Surveillance Pilot ProgramT1TS CITY OF PALM DESERT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: APPROVAL OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE PILOT PROGRAM DATE: December 14, 2006 CONTENTS: Minutes of the November 8, 2006 Public Safety Commission meeting Proposed Application Recommended Equipment Specifications Recommendation: By Minute Motion, approve the implementation of a video surveillance pilot program in the City of Palm Desert. Executive Summary: Approval of this request will allow staff, beginning in fiscal year 2007-08, to implement a video surveillance pilot program at selected businesses within the City of Palm Desert. Background: At its meeting of November 6, 2006, the Palm Desert Public Safety Commission recommended that the City Council approve a video surveillance pilot program which would be implemented at selected locations that are licensed to conduct business within the City of Palm Desert. In order to deter criminal activity and to provide local law enforcement an additional tool in fighting crime, the Public Safety Commission recommended that a video surveillance pilot program be implemented in the City of Palm Desert. In discussing the most effective manner to accomplish this goal, the Commission stated the opinion that a proactive approach would be to develop a method to identify, memorialize, and deter criminal activity in the City's business sector through an incentive program. The willingness of local businesses to participate in innovative programs where incentives are offered has proven most successful, i.e., the City's Facade Enhancement Program. Upon implementation of the pilot program, which would be budgeted to begin in fiscal year 2007/2008, ten Palm Desert businesses would be selected to participate. The program would be advertised through the "Brite Side", business license renewal forms, and flyers distributed to local businesses by Code Compliance personnel. A panel of representatives from the Police and Code Compliance Departments, the Public Safety Commission, and the local business community would select which businesses would participate in the pilot program (the subject application is attached). To be eligible, the business would have to be located and licensed within the Palm Desert city limits. Selection criteria for participation in the program would be prioritized as follows. 1. Retail and commercial businesses that sell merchandise and services directly to customers out of a specific location; 2. businesses with direct customer access that conduct business via cash or credit transaction; 3. businesses that cater to large gatherings of the public or employees. Businesses that will be given priority for participation in the program would include, but not be limited to, those that conduct retail sales, banks and credit unions, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, grocery stores, and any other business as defined by the Palm Desert Police Department based on past criminal activity or a defined threat assessment. Research reveals that the cost to purchase and install an acceptable system which could provide the type of services that the Police Department believes is needed for such a program to be effective is approximately $3,000. The pilot program would require that selected businesses install equipment approved by the City (specifications for two such systems are attached) at locations approved by the Palm Desert Police Department. Upon installation, the participating businesses could apply for a rebate of up to $1,500 from the City. Funds for the pilot program would be budgeted beginning in fiscal year 2007/2008 as part of the City's general fund. To ensure the success of the program, program requirements would include, but not be limited to, complying with the equipment manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule; installing and using one of the types of digital equipment recommended by the Police Department; interior, exterior, and common access points be covered as recommended by the Police Department; immediate accessibility by law enforcement officials to view, photo print, and use for case follow-up; remote access; and operability and use during all business hours of operation. Periodic monitoring of the equipment to ensure operability and that other program standards are being met would be conducted the City's Code Compliance Department with assistance, when needed, from the Palm Desert Police Department. To best serve the needs of the community, the Palm Desert Police Department strives to attain three goals with regard to the prevention of crime and the apprehension of suspected perpetrators. The first goal is to reduce the fear of crime, the second is to reduce the number of calls for service, and the third goal is to increase the quality of life in Palm Desert. Maintaining relationships with citizens and merchants by focusing on their safety concerns is a top priority for the Police Department. It is anticipated that the implementation of a Video Surveillance Pilot Program will be another step in an overall strategy to not only reduce the fear of crime but also reduce calls for service. It is well documented that the use of video surveillance systems not only allows law enforcement to properly investigate crimes but also serves as a strong deterrent in reducing the appeal of criminal activity to potential perpetrators. It is believed that video surveillance is a good tool that allows the investigative process to be streamlined and enhanced, along with providing a useable product so that criminals can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Even during the pilot phase, it is believed that this program will show a significant reduction in crime and calls for service within our community. Therefore, the Public Safety Commission recommends that the City Council approve a video surveillance pilot program to commence with the fiscal year 2007/2008 budget and appropriate $15,000 in that fiscal year's general fund to implement the program. j c PATRICIA SCULLY, CF SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST SHEILA R. GILLIG N keyL/ PAUL C�: OIV TREAS ' ER/FINANCE DIRECTOR CARLOS L. OP P GA ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER/PIO CITY MANAGER CITY COUNCIL ACTION : APPROVED v_ DENIED ,RECEIVED OTHER }METING DATE ia-ltt-O(e q [{ AYES : b�cn 1 , FeX4U5cn Filer;-(+ ` fea eJ) KL-1 NOES: i'. one, J ABSENT: ABSTAIN: one, VERIFIED BY:pK__�r Original. on File with CitcY Clerk's Office PRELIMINARY MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION NOVEMBER 8, 2006 programs. He added that the Police Department was completely accessible to the public. This included having a website, palmdesertpolice.org, where citizens could type in their concerns about traffic and anything else in the City, and the Department would look into those issues and respond. Upon question by Commissioner Nethery as to the impact of setting speed limits at less than the amount recommended by the speed survey, Lt. Thetford responded that it would take an extremely effective tool out of the hands of law enforcement, as they would not be able to use radar to enforce the limit. Mr. Vaka suggested lowering the speed limit to 45 miles per hour just between Frank Sinatra and Country Club on Cook Street. Lt. Thetford noted that he would not recommend an artery street like Cook Street having a section where the Police Department could not use radar to enforce the speed limit. He felt it was very important to have the speed survey in Palm Desert, and he felt the Police Department should be able to effectively use all of the tools available to enforce the speed limits. Commissioner Nethery said he felt this would be counter -productive. Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion, concur with staffs recommendation to City Council to establish speed zones on streets throughout the City. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Larsh and carried by a 5-0 vote. Mrs. Gilligan noted that this matter would be before the City Council at its meeting of December 13, 2006, and a draft set of minutes from ;, biic Safety Commission meeting would accompany that report. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. Update on Video Surveillance Pilot Program (continued from the meeting of September 13, 2006) Ms. Scully noted the staff report in the packets and offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Nethery said since only ten businesses would be included ir, the pilot program, he felt there should be some objective ..i.i4 Ti4Ui.J.t �J 1J 1- criteria to determine who will and will not be chosen to if more than ten businesses apply. He was concerned that applicants not feel the selection process is subjective. Perhaps those standards could be included with the applicaf: " 0 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION NOVEMBER 8, 2006 Ms. Scully responded that a flyer would be distributed to businesses by the City's Code Compliance Department announcing the pilot program, and the flyer could include the selection priorities. Commissioner Nethery expressed concern with staffs second recommendation — that the City Council take action to require that video surveillance equipment be installed in all new businesses as they are being licensed in the City of Palm Desert. He noted that there were probably some small businesses with just one or two employees where it might not be that important to have video surveillance — perhaps the businesses did not really have anything of value to steal; i.e., a CPA firm, one -person law firm, etc. He felt there needed to be some input before the Commission makes a recommendation to the Council relative to which businesses to include. Lt. Thetford noted that this originally was going to be for convenience stores but was then changed to include other businesses such as jewelry stores, banks, etc. it was not staffs intent to include every new business that opens in the City but rather those businesses that are more susceptible to theft. Chairman Lebel suggested that it be retail, commercial, and wholesale, and Lt. Thetford agreed. Commissioner Nethery stated he felt before a recommendation is made to the City Council, the Commission needs to more narrowly define that group of businesses it feels should be the subject of a proposed ordinance. Lt. Thetford agreed. In addition, Commissioner Nethery felt it might be premature at this point to make a recommendation to the City Council to adopt an ordinance and that the results of the pilot program needed to be evaluated first. Commissioner Nethery moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Recommend to the City Council approval of a pilot video surveillance program, with a budget of $15,000 in Fiscal Year 2007/08 to implement the program; 2) direct staff to include in the literature to be distributed to businesses the specific selection standards/priorifies by which participants in the pilot program will be chosen. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Larsh and carried by a 5-0 vote. E installation, the participating businesses could apply for a rebate of up to $1,500 from the City. Funds for the pilot program would be budgeted beginning in fiscal year 2007-2008 as part of the City of Palm Desert's general fund. To ensure the success of the program, program requirements would include, but not be limited to, complying with the maintenance schedule as recommended by the equipment manufacturer; using one of the types of digital equipment recommended by the City; interior, exterior, and common access points be covered as recommended by the Palm Desert Police Department; immediate accessibility by law enforcement officials to view and photo print, use for case follow-up; remote access; and operability and use during business hours. Periodic monitoring of the equipment to ensure operability and that other program standards are being met would be conducted by the City's Code Compliance Department with assistance, when needed, from the Palm Desert Police Department. The Palm Desert Police Department strives to attain three goals with regard to the prevention of crime and the apprehension of suspected perpetrators. The first goal is to reduce the fear of crime, the second is to reduce the number of calls for service, and the last goal is to increase the quality of life in Palm Desert. Maintaining relationships with citizens and merchants by focusing upon their safety concerns is a top priority of the Police Department. It is anticipated that the implementation of a Video Surveillance Pilot Program will be another step in an overall strategy to not only reduce the fear of crime but also reduce the calls for service. It is well documented that the use of video surveillance systems not only allows law enforcement to properly investigate crimes but also serve as a strong deterrent in reducing the appeal of criminal activity to potential perpetrators. It is believed that video surveillance is a good tool that allows the investigative process to be streamlined, along with providing a useable product so that criminals can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Even during the pilot phase, we feel this program will show a significant reduction in crime and calls for service within our community. Staff recommends that the Public Safety Commission recommend approval of a pilot video surveillance program to the City Council and budget $15,000 in 07/08 fiscal year to implement the program. Staff further recommends that the Public Safety Commission recommend that the City Council take action to require that video surveillance equipment be installed in all new businesses as they are being licensed in the City of Palm Desert. CITY OE PRIM DESERj 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE PAL,I DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260-2578 TEL:76o 346—o6ii FAX: 760 340-0574 info@palm-desert.org VIDEO SURVEILLANCE PILOT PROGRAM APPLICATION Legal Name of Business: DBA (if Applicable): Street Address of Business: Mailing Address of Business: Telephone Number of Business: Fax Number of Business: Email Address: Web site Address: Year Business First Licensed in Palm Desert: Business Owner Name(s): Business Contact Person/Title (if different from Business Owner): Contact Phone Number: Current Security System In Place: ����fo��n �o,� Nature of Business (items for sale and/or services offered: Reason(s) why this business would benefit from the Video Surveillance Pilot Program: I certify that: 1. 1 accept and will abide by the guidelines and requirements of the Video Surveillance Pilot Program. 2. If matching funs are awarded to this business, all equipment placement and maintenance will conform with the requirements of the Video Surveillance Pilot Program. NAME DATE CITY 01 P 0 [ M 0 [ S [ 9 1 SIGNATURE pat From: Ponder, Hart Sent. Monday, August 14, 2006 12:59 PM To: Scully, Pat Subject: Video Surveillance Price 3reetings Pat: 4 good quality system with four cameras will run in the area of 2,000.00. With installation, add 350-500. f you need more information, please let me know. ipeei fications: .hannel 4CH nput 4 CH Inputs I.OVp-p, 75ohm unbalanced (BNC Type) )utput BNC x 4 video looping out, main monitor x I S-Video x I iorizontal Resolution 720 x 480 (NTSC) / 720 x 576 (PAL) ;/N Ratio More than 40dB '-)r 16.7 Million Monitoring Method split Screen 1,4,9 (Live / Playback), PIP 'oom Live & PB Available, 2 x 2 zoom sequence Available screen Quality Full: 720(H)x 480(V) Active Pixels(NTSC); 720(H) x 576(V) Active Pixels (PAL) 114 Screen: 60(H) x 240(V) Active Pixels(NTSC); 360(H) x 288(V) Active Pixels(PAL) )isplay Rate 120 frames per second (430) recording./ Play Function recording (Max) NTSC 1/30(1/30), 1/15(1/15), 1%10(1/10), 1/5 (1/5), 1/3 (1/3), 1/2 (1/2), 1(1), 2(2), 3(3.13), 5 5), 10 (8,33), 15(12.5), 30(25), 60(50), 120(100). rccord Quality Super, High, Fine, Nornial, Low 'ompressed Picture M-JPEG - Mode Normal, Schedule, Motion detect, Alarm u Nayback. Mode Date `Iistse or event search Motion Detect Area division: 16 x 12, ON/OFF' )1� F'' sector selectable. Motion detect recording and r r lay on at il1e- same time Network Function Remote Viewer Driver Alarm Max 4 Alarm Input / I relay Output Back -Up USB/CD-RW/Network RS485 For Keyboard Control / P/T/7. Dome Storage Internal I or 2 HDD (3.5 IDE Interface) Audio Input RCA x I Audio Output RCA x 1 Mechanical IR Remote Controller Standard Shuttle Control Input X 1 Power Supply DC 12V / 5A Dimension 430 (W) x 444 (D) x 100 (H)mm Operating Temperature 41 oF-104 of (5 oC—+40 oC) Operating Humidity Less than 90% CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS: This professional indoor/outdoor Sony CCD Bullet camera delivers a crisp black and white image, and sees very well in low light (lux) situations. Furnished with 90 degreee 3.6mm lens. Pick up Element: UY Sony CCD image sensor w/3.6 mm lens Resolution: 420 TV lines - Min. illumination: 0.1 Lux/F2.0 - S/N ratio: more than 46dB Electronic shutter: 1/60(1/50) to 1/100,000 sec. - BLC function: auto detect Power source: DC 12V +/- 10% - Current consumption: 120mA Dimensions: 74(L) x 21.5(Dia.) Furnished with Mounting Bracket 2