That the City Council:
A.  Approve the waiving of the formal bidding process per La Habra Municipal Code 4.20.070 (B) sole source vendor exception; 

B.  Approve an appropriation of $107,500 from the Asset Forfeiture Fund for payment to Flock Group Inc. for the lease of the "Flock Safety" Pan, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ) cameras for Fiscal Year 2025-2026; and,

C.  Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Flock Group Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia, for the lease of PTZ cameras. 

Since 2010, the La Habra Police Department has utilized fixed camera systems to help identify criminal activity, enhance productivity, and improve officer safety. In La Habra, fixed camera systems are currently installed at several major intersections, on certain City-owned buildings, and at select parks throughout the City. The existing camera system automatically captures video footage of the areas under observation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Video footage can be viewed live by responding officers and stored footage can be reviewed later, as needed, by investigating officers. The Police Department has greatly benefited from these camera systems and staff recommend the addition of additional cameras. PTZ camera systems are an effective investigative tool, used for both proactive and reactive law enforcement. The PTZ camera system being proposed is manufactured and sold by Flock Safety. This system utilizes motion alerts and a zoom feature, as well as using solar power for placement flexibility. 

Camera systems, such as the one being proposed, can be an effective way to enhance police services. During a normal police shift, officers cannot observe all areas of the City; however, an effectively utilized PTZ system can allow Police staff convenient access to 24/7 video monitoring and recording of specific areas in the community. While the current deployment of PTZ cameras covers many major intersections in the City, they do not cover other key areas, such as smaller intersections or areas where the Police Department gets higher levels of calls for service. The additional PTZ cameras being proposed will provide more coverage of these critical areas of the City.

The proposed PTZ camera system employs rigorous security measures and all images and data are stored on encrypted cloud-based servers. The data is owned by the City of La Habra and access is restricted to authorized La Habra Police personnel and specific allied agencies that the Police Department can choose to manually grant access. All video searches are recorded, with limited scope and authorized uses, and the system will be periodically audited to ensure compliance with Department policy and the law.

Staff recommends the City Council waive the formal bidding process in accordance with La Habra Municipal Code 4.20.070 (B) due to Flock Group being the sole source provider of these specific types of PTZ cameras. Furthermore, if approved by City Council, the new proposed PTZ cameras will be able to fully integrate with the currently deployed Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) camera systems currently in use in the City.

Implementation of PTZ Camera Program:
If approved by City Council, the implementation of this program will consist of leasing 13 fixed PTZ cameras mounted at key locations throughout the City.  Given La Habra's proximity to the Orange County/Los Angeles County lines, there are significant benefits to be able to record and review video evidence from the new proposed PTZ system, especially near City parks, the Union Pacifici Railroad (UPRR) train tracks and other key thoroughfares, and will add an important new tool to work in conjunction with the City's existing 10 ALPR cameras.

If approved by City Council, the $107,500 cost for the proposed PTZ camera system will be funded from an appropriation of available Asset Forfeiture funds. There are sufficient unencumbered Asset Forfeiture funds to cover the cost of this purchase and there will be no impact to the City's General Fund.