pages: CityCouncil/2021-12-21.pdf, 19
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CityCouncil | 2021-12-21 | 19 | meeting discussion about the use of ALPRs; stated the time has come; the way in which crime is occurring throughout the area is vastly different and more sophisticated; crime is occurring; discussed a break-in at a cannabis dispensary; stated Officers need to be provided with proper training and be given the tools; ALPRs are tools to help APD improve the way in which they either deter crime or capture people who commit crime; the tools are not perfect; the City cannot wait another seven years in hopes of finding the perfect tool; the units are expensive; however, the City must amp up its game in terms of deterring and solving crime; ALPRs are one tool that can help; the issue of privacy is important; he has confidence in City staff that the City will be mindful of concerns related to privacy; Council needs to move forward and give a signal that the City will provide APD a fighting chance in deterring and solving crime. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she is mindful of concerns about increasing crime and privacy; the way crime is taking place is changing; there is a need to get tougher on criminals; ALPR technology can be a valuable tool; however, based on the report provided, she is not ready to move forward in approving the use of ALPR technology; she would like to give staff direction to come back to Council; information has been presented which is not included in the staff report; she would like the information included in the staff report if the matter returns to Council; the cost of the technology is listed between $500,000 and $700,000 in the staff report and she would like an explanation for the difference; there is a question about the cost for installation and maintenance of ALPR cameras; many references to privacy concerns have been made; she would like to know the proposed retention policy; the retention time needs to be included in a policy; she would like more discussion about which approach, fixed or mobile ALPRs, would have a more chilling effect on residents; the City of Berkeley recently approved the use of fixed security cameras in various locations throughout the City; Berkeley staff are currently drafting the use policy for the fixed security cameras; staff should communicate with Berkeley staff on their approach; she understands the need to free up Officers for patrolling and covering neighborhoods; she would like clarification about handling vehicles without license plates; some crimes occur with vehicles that do not have license plates; questioned where the data collected goes and who has access to retention; stated Council needs to have an explanation of the Clearview use incident; expressed support for Council supporting Assembly Bill (AB) 550 related to automated speed cameras; stated the Bill is part of what is being considered for Vision Zero and she would like the City to consider the important tool; stated that she is willing to giving staff direction to come back to Council with more detail and information. Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Knox White stated Council has supported AB 550 and was one of the few cities to send a letter; he is not against cameras; Council needs to have confidence that the cameras are going to have an impact; he has not heard one comment which accurately describes the outcome of putting ALPRs in place; he understands the community has concerns about safety and crime; Council needs to be doing as much as possible; he would be supportive of ALPRs if they were a tool that helps address safety and crime; there is a reason for the lack of studies which show that ALPRs do not deter or change crime; ALPRs do not deter or change crime; anecdotal stories are due to there being no change in what happens with crime when cameras are installed; outlined crime statistics for the City of Piedmont after installation of ALPR cameras; stated Council will be over-promising that putting in cameras will have an impact on crime outcomes; installing ALPRs will not have an impact on crime outcomes; discussed incorrect license plate hits in the City of Vallejo; stated Officers will waste time on going after people not involved with crimes; expressed concern about the shortage of APD Officers; stated the use of ALPR will be taking away from Officer time being spent on the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council December 21, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-12-21.pdf |