| ITEM #: 4. DATE: 05/13/2024 AI #:2010 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | FY2025 TRAFFIC SIGNAL CAMERAS, LICENSE PLATE READERS, AND REAL TIME CRIME CENTER OVERVIEW |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Justin Fair, Deputy City Manager |
OTHER PRESENTER(S):
Steve Scinto, Director of Engineering; Art Miller, Chief of Police; David Farrow, Deputy Chief of Police
Summary
Staff will provide an overview and update regarding the City's traffic signal cameras, License Plate Readers (LPR), and Phase I of the proposed Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). (Justin Fair, Deputy City Manager)
FISCAL IMPACT
The Recommended Fiscal Year 2025 Budget includes $320,000 of ongoing expenditures and $606,000 of one-time expenditures. The expenditures are included in three recommended supplemental requests as follows:
| FY2025 Supplemental Request | Ongoing | One-Time |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Camera Recording Equipment | - | $300,000 |
| License Plate Reader Cameras | $125,000 | $146,000 |
| Real Time Crime Center Software & Phase I Implementation | $195,000 | $160,000 |
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
Traffic Signal Cameras
In an ongoing effort to ensure safe travel along our roadways and optimal flow through City transportation corridors, the City of Goodyear Engineering department utilizes traffic signal cameras to monitor real-time traffic flow, signal timing, and road conditions. The cameras currently operate 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, but do not record; thus, only providing a live window to traffic conditions and events that cannot be captured and utilized for future evaluation or improvements.
License Plate Readers
In FY2024, the City of Goodyear Police Department (PD) utilized Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) funding to purchase 16 LPR cameras (manufactured by Flock), which are being installed at strategic points in the City. These LPRs capture photos of the backs of vehicles and provide crucial vehicle evidence to include vehicle body type, make, model, and color, license plate numbers/letters and state recognition, and other useful identifying vehicle features such as decals and body damage.
Officers and dispatchers utilize these images for public safety and investigative purposes, to assist with identification and tracking of stolen vehicles and/or vehicles used in the commission of a crime. The department safeguards appropriate use through training and audits. If approved, Goodyear PD plans to implement an additional 25 LPRs in FY2025.
Real Time Crime Center
Understanding the essential need for a safe and vibrant community for our Goodyear citizens, Goodyear PD has identified the significant role a Real Time Crime Center can provide to citywide law enforcement operations by providing an integrated dashboard for multiple data feeds. This central command center combines real time data from the following sources, delivering critical information to law enforcement personnel when it is most beneficial for ensuring public safety:
In an ongoing effort to ensure safe travel along our roadways and optimal flow through City transportation corridors, the City of Goodyear Engineering department utilizes traffic signal cameras to monitor real-time traffic flow, signal timing, and road conditions. The cameras currently operate 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, but do not record; thus, only providing a live window to traffic conditions and events that cannot be captured and utilized for future evaluation or improvements.
License Plate Readers
In FY2024, the City of Goodyear Police Department (PD) utilized Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) funding to purchase 16 LPR cameras (manufactured by Flock), which are being installed at strategic points in the City. These LPRs capture photos of the backs of vehicles and provide crucial vehicle evidence to include vehicle body type, make, model, and color, license plate numbers/letters and state recognition, and other useful identifying vehicle features such as decals and body damage.
Officers and dispatchers utilize these images for public safety and investigative purposes, to assist with identification and tracking of stolen vehicles and/or vehicles used in the commission of a crime. The department safeguards appropriate use through training and audits. If approved, Goodyear PD plans to implement an additional 25 LPRs in FY2025.
Real Time Crime Center
Understanding the essential need for a safe and vibrant community for our Goodyear citizens, Goodyear PD has identified the significant role a Real Time Crime Center can provide to citywide law enforcement operations by providing an integrated dashboard for multiple data feeds. This central command center combines real time data from the following sources, delivering critical information to law enforcement personnel when it is most beneficial for ensuring public safety:
- Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
- Automatic Vehicle Location
- LPRs
- Livestream Body Worn Cameras
- Traffic Signal Cameras
- Drone Footage
- Community partners: schools, retailers, etc.
- Automatic Vehicle Location
- LPRs
- Livestream Body Worn Cameras
- Traffic Signal Cameras
- Drone Footage
- Community partners: schools, retailers, etc.
To determine best practices, effective implementation, and successful operations, Goodyear PD staff have visited, and continue to interview, a number of operational RTCCs statewide serving the cities of Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Buckeye, along with those within the Elk Grove Police Department (CA), the City of Chula Vista (CA), and the Fort Worth Police Department (TX). Staff are also gathering input from City of Goodyear departments such as Information Technology, Engineering, Fire, Facilities, Municipal Security, and Telecommunications to evaluate technology needs, scope and size (shift coverage, personnel needs and makeup), location, and potential funding resources.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The ability to record traffic signal camera footage will provide an effective tool for evaluating the efficacy of signal timing changes, assessing complaints, and investigating damage to City assets.
As a FY2025 Strategic Plan Action Item, staff will identify legally acceptable, best practices for recording traffic cameras, establishing policies and guidelines for the following:
Additionally, once policies and guidelines regarding traffic signal recordings are instituted, traffic signal camera recordings may provide another tool for Goodyear law enforcement to utilize for investigative and training purposes.
As a second FY2025 Strategic Plan Action Item, staff will study and evaluate the creation of a Real Time Crime Center. Initial steps, to include researching regional, operational RTCCs and gathering input from internal City of Goodyear departments, have developed a framework for Phase I implementation and next steps, to include:
Ultimately, the intent is to start small, and with direction from Mayor and Council, adjust as needs, evaluation, and operations dictate.
As a FY2025 Strategic Plan Action Item, staff will identify legally acceptable, best practices for recording traffic cameras, establishing policies and guidelines for the following:
- Video retention and release
- Appropriate usage
- Potential privacy concerns
- Positions and staff responsible for managing recordings
- Potential privacy concerns
- Positions and staff responsible for managing recordings
Additionally, once policies and guidelines regarding traffic signal recordings are instituted, traffic signal camera recordings may provide another tool for Goodyear law enforcement to utilize for investigative and training purposes.
As a second FY2025 Strategic Plan Action Item, staff will study and evaluate the creation of a Real Time Crime Center. Initial steps, to include researching regional, operational RTCCs and gathering input from internal City of Goodyear departments, have developed a framework for Phase I implementation and next steps, to include:
- Visit Addtional RTCCs
- Develop Policies
- Repurpose Conference Room
- Evaluate/Purchase Software
- Integrate Software, if necessary
- Use LPRs and Traffic Signal Cameras
- Identify Staffing Needs
- Develop Policies
- Repurpose Conference Room
- Evaluate/Purchase Software
- Integrate Software, if necessary
- Use LPRs and Traffic Signal Cameras
- Identify Staffing Needs
Ultimately, the intent is to start small, and with direction from Mayor and Council, adjust as needs, evaluation, and operations dictate.