Title
a. Receive and support the Sheriff’s Office request to fund the Sheriff’s Office security camera Flock program with 60 cameras county-wide. These cameras would work in conjunction with the three (3) cameras already being placed at the County government center. The utilization of security cameras strategically placed by law enforcement countywide will reduce crime and aid in the identification, location, and prosecution of offenders thus increasing safety in communities.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors Capital Improvement Committee:
a. Receive and support the Sheriff’s Office request to fund the Sheriff’s Office security camera Flock program with 60 cameras county-wide. These cameras would work in conjunction with the three (3) cameras already being placed at the County government center. The utilization of security cameras strategically placed by law enforcement countywide will reduce crime and aid in the identification, location, and prosecution of offenders thus increasing safety in communities.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Communities across the County of Monterey and the nation have found the utilization of security cameras strategically placed by law enforcement to be beneficial in impacting crime and aiding in the identification, location, and prosecution of offenders thus increasing safety in communities. In the County of Monterey security cameras are currently being used in King City, Greenfield, Soledad, and Salinas as well as others and have been proven to aid in local criminal investigations. Security cameras also present themselves as a service multiplier and add cost savings to personnel expenses as they are active 24 hours a day and 365 days a year allowing law enforcement personnel to be elsewhere at the same time.
In order to provide increased safety to the residents of the County of Monterey the Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Health Department have agreed to have 25 cameras placed throughout the County of Monterey pursuant to the parameters of a Proposition 64 grant relating to cannabis enforcement and crime reduction. Additionally, recognizing the value of security cameras to the community in impacting crime the Sheriff’s Office is seeking to expand the camera program beyond the Proposition 64 grant by adding an additional 35 cameras across the County with the $137,000 augmentation request. In total, we are seeking to launch the Sheriff’s Office security camera program with 60 cameras county-wide. These cameras would work in conjunction with the three (3) cameras already being placed at the County government center.
These cameras will provide increased security to the area and will record 24/7, allowing staff to utilize them as needed in relation to community complaints and/or criminal activity. All installation services are included in the fee and provided by the vendor Flock Group Inc., dba Flock Safety.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Public Health Bureau of the Health Department supports this action. Budget Committee supported this request at their March 28, 2024, meeting.
FINANCING:
The Sheriff’s Office is asking support from the Capital Improvement Committee for a security camera project that would increase appropriations in the Adopted Budget for FY 2023-24 in the amount of $220,250 for the initial purchase of cameras for the County funded by Proposition 64 Grant in the amount of $83,250 and Cannabis Assignment (BSA-001-3132) as directed by the Budget Committee in the amount of $137,000. Future costs and funding sources will be incorporated during the budget process.
Prepared by: Arthur Curtright, Management Analyst III, Ext #3708
Reviewed by: Jason Smith, Chief Deputy Sheriff, Ext #3801
Reviewed by: Keith Boyd, Undersheriff, Ext #3859
Approved by: Tina Nieto, Sheriff/Coroner, Extension #3750
Attachments:
Capital Improvement Committee Report
Email confirmation from Public Health
Flock Quote