HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/1/1999 - STAFF REPORTS (18) DATE: September 1, 1999
TO: City Council
FROM: C.Lee Weigel,Chief of Police
AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF TWENTY(20)SONY MAVICA FLOPPY DISK DIGITAL
CAMERAS FOR THE PALM SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,California,authorize the purchase of
twenty(20) Sony Mavica floppy disk digital cameras for the Palm Springs Police
Department,at a cost not to exceed$12,000.
BACKGROUND:
The Palm Springs Police Department has used Polaroid and 35mm cameras and film for
over twenty years. New digital technology has proven to be a more cost effective and
efficient way to document crime scenes and traffic collision scenes,prepare mug photos,
compile photo line-ups,and assist police officers and the District Attorney's Office when
officers testify in court.
The cost for 35mm film, 35mm film processing,Polaroid film and 35mm throw away
cameras in fiscal year 98/99 averaged more than$2,000 per month. Digital cameras will
not totally alleviate the use of 35mm fihn processing for major crime scenes as close-up
photos are sometimes necessary,i.e.,nighttime photos of shoe impressions in sand.
However,the monthly cost for film processing and Polaroid film will be reduced to under
$50 per month.
The Sony Mavica digital camera is the only digital camera that uses three and one-half
inch floppy disks for the storage of photos. Other digital cameras use very expensive
memory modules. The Sony Mavica digital cameras will work with any IBM compatible
computer and do not require a"cable/com.port"interface as do the other cameras.
Case law has set the ground rules for digital camera and digital photo use for crime scene
investigation as evidence in a court of law. The officer or person taking the photo must
appear in court to testify as to the accuracy of the photo before the court,and that the
photo accurately depicts that which appeared at the scene when the photo was taken. The
evidence disk is actually used in court and enhanced on a huge screen for all in the
courtroom to view. Hard copies of photos for court or evidence logging are no longer
necessary.
The Coachella Valley Narcotics Task Force(CVNFT),Cathedral City Police Department,
Hemet Police Department,Drug Enforcement Agency(DEA)and many other law
enforcement agencies have used digital cameras with long-term success.
The cost of the digital camera equipment is not more than$12,000. Funding is available
thryugh account number 3010-43900.
APPROVED:
ige Harold E. Good, CPPO
Chief 4P Procurement Manager
APPRO :q u c e.= �
Manager es W.Runge
Director of Communications
Attachment: Minute Order
MINUTE ORDER NO. t <�
APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF TWENTY(20)SONY
MAVICA FLOPPY DISK DIGITAL CAMERAS FOR THE
PALM SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT, AT A COST
NOT TO EXCEED$12,000.
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order approving the purchase of twenty(20) Sony Mavica
floppy disk digital cameras for the Palm Springs Police Department,at a cost not to exceed$12,000
was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, at meeting thereof on
September 1, 1999.
TRISHA SANDERS
City Clerk
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