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AGENDA BILL Agenda Item No. 7(B) Date: January 20, 2015 To: El Cerrito City Council From: Stephen Bonini, Lieutenant Sylvia Moir, Chief of Police Subject: Community Video Security Camera Registration Program ACTION REQUESTED Receive a presentation and adopt a resolution endorsing a Voluntary Security Camera Registration program whereby residents and business owners can voluntarily register their security camera systems with the Police Department. The program is strictly voluntary and includes an option to remove one’s system from the registry at anytime. BACKGROUND Surrounding cities have implemented a Voluntary Security Camera Registration program, wherein residents and business owners sign up via the Police Department website. A web based registration form consists of address and contact information where the security camera system is located. The information is entered into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) software so when a significant crime occurs, officers/detectives will be able to see the location of the cameras in the surrounding neighborhoods. With consent of the camera owner, the video would be reviewed for any potential assistance which could lead to suspect identification and/or a successful prosecution. This type of program exists in the cities of Vallejo, Fremont, San Jose, and in Sacramento County. The City of Berkeley is currently evaluating the program. STRATEGIC PLAN CONSIDERATIONS This program aligns with the City of El Cerrito Strategic Plan Goal A: Deliver exemplary government services and Goal E: Ensure the public’s health and safety. Passage of this program furthers the Police Department’s efforts to adopt an inclusive position with stakeholders. Registration and use of the cameras also fosters a collaborative relationship between the Police Department and city residents. The professional excellence already established by the Police Department will be enhanced with the use of existing security cameras installed by residents and business owners. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS The City and Police Department will not incur any initial equipment costs. The camera expenditure is made by the resident or business owner. Online registrations will occur and the form/format has already been established. Data entry into the CAD system will be required using available professional staff at an estimated forty five minutes per entry. At this time, the ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 7(8) number of security cameras in the City is unknown and projecting an overall time and employee cost cannot be determined. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS The City Attorney has reviewed and approves as to form. Reviewed by: Scott Hanin City Manager Attachments: 1. Resolution 2. Powerpoint presentation Page 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 7(B) Attachment 1 RESOLUTION 2015-XX RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO ENDORSING A VOLUNTARY SECURITY CAMERA REGISTRATION PROGRAM WHEREAS, security cameras are in use by City of El Cerrito residents and business owners. Existing cameras have been used to help solve crimes, provide investigative leads, and help identify suspects; and WHEREAS, registration is purely voluntary and will enable the Police Department to create and maintain a database of addresses for security cameras throughout the city, and not live feeds for the camera locations; and WHEREAS, the security camera video will be reviewed only with the permission of, and in the presence of the resident/owner and only if a criminal investigation is taking place; and WHEREAS, the voluntary security registration will assist investigations and multiply the investigative abilities of the Police Department. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of El Cerrito that it hereby supports and endorses a voluntary security camera registration for residents and business owners. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage and adoption. I CERTIFY that at a regular meeting on January 20, 2015 the City Council of the City of El Cerrito passed this Resolution by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: IN WITNESS of this action, I sign this document and affix the corporate seal of the City of El Cerrito on January 2015. Cheryl Morse, City Clerk APPROVED: Mark Friedman, Mayor ---PAGE BREAK--- Overview and Program Timeline ---PAGE BREAK--- Security Cameras exist in many businesses and residents Not a Police Department Surveillance System Voluntary participation in program Assist officers and detectives during investigations City/PD does not own, maintain, or ability to access without the owner’s help and consent Cameras are already out there Fremont, San Jose, Vallejo, Sacramento County Sheriff have existing programs ---PAGE BREAK--- Neighborhood Meetings to discuss the voluntary program Develop on-line form from ECPD website Potential investigative impacts Potential costs to City/PD ---PAGE BREAK--- Scheduled at different locations over a three month period to address: 1. System requirements – We have none, but have recommendations on quality. 2. Proper positioning of cameras – not into neighbor windows, but focus on front, side, back of property 3. Investigative benefits – suspects entering/exiting, deterrence through signage, tracking of suspect vehicles 4. Neighborhood Watch / Crime Prevention involvement ---PAGE BREAK--- Home Invasion of Elderly on Richmond St A. Security cameras in area could have shown suspects, vehicle, approach and get away, etc. Elderly woman carjacked at CVS – security video helped apprehend suspect Residential Burglary – North hill; officers recognized suspect on the street after viewing the security video ---PAGE BREAK--- Costs associated with data entry i. PD employee created on-line registration form ii. PD employee enter registration data in spread sheet and GIS for mobile computer use by officers in field iii. Greatest data entry costs will come with initial registrations, and then one year later when renewal notices go out. Approximately 2.5 hours to create initial forms. Follow up entries less than 20 minutes. ---PAGE BREAK--- Neighborhood Meetings: 1. Feb through April On-Line registration form: completed Nov 2014 Website/Registration form open: Jan 2015 Progress reports to staff: March and June Media push for Jan/Feb/March 2015: 1. Press Releases 2. T.V. Media 3. Nixle, Twitter, YouTube, Patch, NextDoor