Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Christina Corpus, Sheriff
Subject: Agreement with Flock Group Inc. for Automatic License Plate Readers
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the agreement with Flock Group Inc. for the installation, leasing, services, and operation of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) for the term of June 8, 2023, through November 30, 2028, for a total not to exceed amount of $1,111,700.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes the use of progressive technology in assisting its staff with criminal investigations. Flock Group provides crime-fighting ALPR technology and associated software under a service subscription model. Flock Safety is a public safety operating system that helps communities and law enforcement in over one thousand cities nationwide work together to eliminate crime, protect privacy, and mitigate bias.
The Sheriff’s Office provides contract law enforcement services to the cities of San Carlos and Millbrae and the Town of Woodside, which all utilize Flock ALPRs. Other local San Mateo County government agencies also using Flock include the San Mateo Police Department, Atherton Police Department, Hillsborough Police Department, Colma Police Department, San Bruno Police Department, and the Foster City Police Department.
While other law enforcement agencies utilize Flock, the Sheriff’s Office is already successfully utilizing Flock. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and the San Mateo County Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) are operational on the system and have had a multitude of proven success stories to include arrests and quickly solving all types of investigations. Therefore, staff recommends that the Board waive the competitive bidding process in connection with the Agreement and Amendment. This waiver is consistent with County Ordinance Code § 2.83.070(b) which provides that the Board of Supervisors may waive any of the provisions of this chapter which require competitive bidding in any situation where the Board of Supervisors determines that the best interests of the County would be served without the necessity of competitive bidding.
DISCUSSION:
This amendment is exclusively for the expansion of the Sheriff’s Office ALPR program into its unincorporated communities. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has been collaborating with Flock and local police departments within the County on the coordinated placement of cameras near jurisdictional boundaries.
The agreement will now provide ALPR coverage to the San Mateo County Coast (7 ALPRs), Emerald Hills/ Ladera / Edgewood (15 ALPRs), Eichler Highlands (8 ALPRs), Burlingame Hills/North County (7 ALPRs), and North Fair Oaks (19 ALPRs) among other locations. Additionally, North Fair Oaks will receive a gunshot detection module.
The implementation of Flock Safety cameras would assist the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office in investigating crime as it occurs within all of its jurisdictions. The ability to share this data with other law enforcement agencies has contributed to a faster and higher closure rate of criminal investigations. Overall, the systematic implementation of Flock Safety ALPR cameras would enhance public safety within the County of San Mateo for all.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This amendment increases the contract amount by $942,230, for a total not to exceed amount of $1,111,700 for the term of June 8, 2023 through November 30, 2028. A portion of the cost of these services ($220,000) will be absorbed by Measure K funding. The remaining funding has been included in the Sheriff’s Office FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget. There is no additional Net County Cost.