HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/7/2003 - STAFF REPORTS (10) DATE: May 7, 2003
TO: City Council
FROM: Gary Jeandron, Chief of Police
APPROVAL OF NEW SURVEILLANCE CAMERA SYSTEM FOR THE CITY JAIL.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the purchase of a new
surveillance camera system for the city jail facility.
SUMMARY
The proposal is to replace and modernize the existing jail cameras, add
additional jail cameras and replace and modernize the existing jail camera
recording system. This recommendation has a start up cost of $103,711.00 and
an annual service cost (beginning in the second year) of $21,606.00. Funding
will come from account numbers 3201-52047, and 3201-52048.
BACKGROUND
A new camera surveillance system in the jail will assist the department in
managing risk. The surveillance and recording system is expected to reduce
liabilities, frivolous claims against city employees, and improve over all safety
and security in the jail.
The current jail camera system consists of sixteen black and white cameras and
a VCR recorder. There are two jail camera monitors in the booking area, two jail
camera monitors in the watch commander's office and two jail camera monitors
in communications.
The VCR recording system can record only one camera at a time. During normal
operations that VCR records the different cameras in a rotating mode. It has the
capacity to record any individual camera at one time. The taping function can be
controlled from either the booking area or communications. The tapes will record
for a twenty four period. The tapes are changed once every twenty four hours
and retained for one year. This retention requirement conforms with state law.
The VCR recording system and many of the jail cameras were originally installed
when the police facility was built in 1985.
Due to the size and design of the jail facility the sixteen cameras do not record all
of the critical areas of the jail. There are currently no cameras in the individual
single person cells (male, female and juvenile sections) or the booking cells,
which are the areas where the most critical incidents occur. These incidents can
include, (but are not limited to) prisoner suicides, attempted prisoner suicides,
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physical altercations between prisoners, use of force cell extractions and other
use of force issues.
Since the current VCR recording system can only record one camera at a time,
and is usually on the rotation mode, a majority of the critical incidents in the jail
are not recorded.
This proposal involves the installation of thirty two new high-resolution color
cameras. Sixteen of the new cameras will replace the existing jail cameras and
sixteen cameras will be added in the individual jail cells, the booking area and
other critical locations in the jail facility.
All of these cameras will be located in areas where it will be difficult for prisoners
to damage them. They will be located in high ceilings or in areas that are
consistently monitored by the jail personnel.
A new digital recording system will record all thirty two cameras simultaneously.
The digital recorder will retain this information for fourteen days. The recorded
information will then be transferred to videotape and retained for one year. This
retention policy conforms to current state law.
This recommended digital recording equipment is similar to the recording
equipment currently being used for the downtown camera system.
This recording equipment will be installed in the same location within the police
facility as the current downtown camera recording system.
Ten new 27-inch color monitors will be added to the booking area so that the on
duty jail personnel can visually monitor all of the cameras simtaneouly. Eight of
those monitors will use "split screen" technology to display all of the cameras and
the two other monitors can be controlled by the jail personnel to view any
individual jail camera.
There will be four new 15-inch color monitors installed in the dispatch center.
These monitors will use "split screen " technology to display all of the jail camera
simtaneouly. Communications personnel will able to improve their monitoring of
jail activities and this will result in improved employee safety.
Two new 10-inch color monitors will be installed in the watch commander's and
patrol commander's offices. These monitors can be configured in several
combinations to monitors the jail cameras. This will assist the sergeants and
commanders in their monitoring of jail operations.
This new camera system will allow the on duty jail personnel to closely supervise
the in custody prisoners. The new cameras and recording system cannot be
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used to reduce the required staffing levels for the jail. State law mandates that jail
personnel be on duty and "immediately accessible to prisoners" at all time.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost for this proposal is $103,711.00. This includes purchase of all new
cameras, monitors, recording equipment and installation.
The first year's service agreement is included in the purchase price. The annual
service agreement cost starting in years two will be $21,606.00.
The funding for this proposal will come from current department technology
grants.
GARY APW RON
Chief of Police
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Approved.,L--�-=-= --° F
City Manager
1. Minute Order
2. Diagram of the jail facility with location of the current and new surveillance
cameras.
3. Photo of proposed jail camera.
REVIEWED BY DK OF FINANCE
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Date 03-14-03
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http://www.silentwitness,corn4f/large_v28g.jpg 3/18/2003
RESOLUTION NO.
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE PURCHASE
OF A SURVEILLANCE CAMERA SYSTEM FOR THE
CITY JAIL.
WHEREAS the video recording system was originally installed in the police facility
in 1985; and
WHEREAS due to the size and design of the facility, the cameras do not record all
the critical areas of the jail; and
WHEREAS incidents in the jail have included prisoner suicides, attempted
suicides, physical altercations between prisoners, and other use of force issues;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs, California as follows:
Section 1. Purchase and install 32 new high-resolution color cameras, a new
digital recording system, and 16 colored monitors, for a total cost of
$103,711.00.
Section 2, Approve a one-year service agreement starting in year two for
$21,606.00.
ADOPTED this 7th day of May, 2003.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By
City Clerk City Manager
REVIEWED &APPROVED AS TO FORM