Title
Recommendation to Accept the Annual Automated License Plate Readers Data Report from the Alameda Police Department. (Police 10031130)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) Police Department (APD) acquired Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) in 2023 and uses this technology to assist with public safety. Pursuant to APD’s Policy 462.11, APD is required to submit an annual report which contains an audit of use and efficacy.
BACKGROUND
In accordance with policy, it is the responsibility of the ALPR Administrator to ensure that an audit is conducted of ALPR detection browsing inquiries at least once during each calendar year. APD audits a sampling of the ALPR system utilization from the prior 12-month period to verify proper use in accordance with the authorized uses. The audit randomly selects at least ten detection browsing inquiries conducted by APD employees during the preceding 12-month period and determines if each inquiry meets the requirements established in this policy.
The audit is documented in the form of an internal department memorandum to the Chief of Police. The memorandum includes any data errors or policy violations found so that these errors can be corrected and violations addressed. Additionally, the memorandum includes an evaluation of the system's efficacy, including relevant crime statistics and/or data to help the community assess whether use of the technology is beneficial. After the review by the Chief of Police, the memorandum and any associated documentation will be filed and retained according to the City’s retention policies.
Beginning on January 1, 2024 and annually thereafter, the Chief of Police will submit an annual report to City Council. The annual report will include, at a minimum:
1) A summary of the audit memorandum including any corrective action taken, except any confidential disciplinary information prohibited by law from disclosure.
2) The number of fixed ALPR cameras.
3) The number of mobile ALPR cameras.
4) The number of scanned license plates.
5) The number of hotlist hits or alerts.
6) The number of search queries and the justification for such queries.
7) The number of investigative leads generated by use of ALPR data.
8) The number of witnesses located by use of ALPR data.
9) The number of stolen vehicles recovered by use of ALPR data.
10) The number of suspects apprehended by use of ALPR data.
11) A list of Authorized Agencies that accessed or received ALPR data.
12) The approved and unapproved ALPR data requests from third parties.
13) Total costs for maintenance, upgrades, licensing, and training.
DISCUSSION
Since April 2023, 33 of the 35 fixed ALPR cameras are installed and operational. Installation of the last two cameras is pending Caltrans permit approval, which is required since they will be installed in the Caltrans right of way. In September 2023, 21 mobile ALPR cameras were installed in the APD marked patrol fleet.
Since installation, fixed ALPRs have scanned 37,790,692 license plates and mobile ALPRs have scanned 893,604 during the first 30 days of use. Combined, the fixed and mobile ALPRs have alerted APD personnel of 26,099 vehicles of interest.
The systems have produced 188 investigative leads for criminal cases, resulting in 36 apprehended suspects. ALPR technology has been directly attributed to the recovery of 47 stolen vehicles and has helped gather digital evidence in 482 separate stolen vehicle cases.
Further details are described in the annual audit, Exhibit 1.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept this informational report
• Reject this informational report
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City Council previously approved the original contract and there are no financial impacts from accepting the ALPR data report.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This report complies with APD Policy 462.11 (Exhibit 2) and is in support of Strategic Plan <https://www.alamedaca.gov/CITYWIDE-PROJECTS/Strategic-Plan> Project # CS18 (Enhancing Community Safety and Services - Install vehicle Automated License Plate Readers).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the annual ALPR Data Report from APD.
Respectfully submitted,
Nishant Joshi, Chief of Police
By,
Nishant Joshi, Chief of Police
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. 2023 Annual Audit Memorandum
2. Policy 462.11