To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOFFMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE
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APPROVE THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT WITH FLOCK GROUP, INC. DBA FLOCK SAFETY TO IMPLEMENT TWO ADDITIONAL AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER CAMERAS IN THE HARBOR/PIER AREA FOR AN INITIAL AMOUNT OF $5,720 FOR THE TERM AUGUST 19, 2025 THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2026 AND $4,820 PER YEAR THEREAFTER FOR UP TO TWO YEARS, INCREASING THE TOTAL ANNUAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF THE AGREEMENT, INCLUSIVE OF ALL AMENDMENTS, TO $29,820
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approval of the proposed amendment to the Agreement with Flock Group, Inc., (dba Flock Safety) would allow the Police Department, using Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds, to expand the City’s Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) program. A total of two additional fixed ALPR camera systems, with live-view video capabilities, would be installed at the two entrances to the Marina (Mole D) Parking lot, one on Portofino Way and the other on Harbor Drive. These cameras are expected to provide increased security for the various special events and amenities that are hosted in the area.
BACKGROUND
Flock Safety ALPR systems support proactive policing and investigations by detecting vehicles of interest that have been reported stolen, were involved in a crime, or identified for another lawful purpose, such as active arrest wants/warrant(s) being issued for a person associated with the vehicle. License plate of interest are detected in real-time, with automated alert notifications and all associated evidence is preserved and easily searchable by authorized Police Department staff. Flock Safety uses proprietary “Vehicle Fingerprint” technology to not only recognize license plates, but also vehicle characteristics such as color, make, model, and distinguishing features, even in instances where a license plate is obscured or missing. The proposed purchase will add fixed ALPR cameras to two strategic ingress points near the Waterfront on Harbor Drive and on Portofino Way. These cameras will also provide both live and recorded video streaming options to enhance situational awareness.
In June 2006, the City Council authorized the Police Department’s first purchase of a mobile Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system, which was mounted on a marked patrol vehicle. In November 2018, Council approved the installation of fixed ALPR cameras from Vigilant Solutions at two key intersections: Torrance Boulevard at Prospect Avenue (westbound) and Inglewood Avenue at Artesia Boulevard (westbound). These systems are still functioning, along with a Vigilant Solutions system installed on a Parking Enforcement vehicle. Since that time, the Police Department entered into an agreement with Flock Safety in January of 2024 to lease fixed ALPR camera systems that were deployed at Pacific Coast Highway at Prospect Avenue, Kingsdale Avenue near Grant Avenue, and Inglewood Avenue near Manhattan Beach Boulevard. In December of 2024, Council also approved the installation of Flock Safety systems at Pacific Coast Highway near Anita Street and 190th Street at Inglewood Ave.
To address privacy and transparency concerns, all data collected through the Flock Safety system is owned exclusively by the City of Redondo Beach and is not sold or commercialized. Data is only shared with other law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies for official law enforcement purposes, or as otherwise permitted by law. Access to the system is restricted to designated personnel within the Police Department, and all system usage, including login activity and search queries, is logged for audit purposes. Flock Safety ALPR and live-view data is retained for a period of 30-days unless manually retained in connection with a criminal investigation. Security safeguards include encryption of data in transit and at rest, along with two-factor authentication. The system operates entirely on Flock Safety’s cloud-based platform and does not require on-premise infrastructure. Facial recognition is not a feature of the City’s ALPR camera system.
Both the proposed expansion of the ALPR system operated by Flock Safety and the Vigilant Solutions fixed-camera system comply with the provision of California Senate Bill 34 (2015), “Automated License Plate Recognition Systems: Use of Data” per Division 3 - California Civil Code as well as California SB 54 (2017), the “Values Act” defined under Division 7, Title 1 of the California Government Code. These statutes combine to prohibit local law enforcement agencies from using resources, including data systems and surveillance tools, to investigate, detain, or share information with federal immigration authorities, except for other law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies for official law enforcement purposes, or as otherwise permitted by law.
The cost of the original Agreement and prior amendments, which include six ALPR cameras and an API interface with Department software platforms, is $25,000 annually. The third amendment for two new ALPR cameras will incur an additional $5,720.08 for the initial term of August 19, 2025 through January 18, 2026 and $4,820.08 per year thereafter. This brings the total annual cost of the Agreement, inclusive of all amendments, to $29,820.08 and aligns the termination date of the third amendment with the original agreement, which is eligible for up to two, automatic one-year renewals.
COORDINATION
This item was prepared in coordination with the Information Technology Department and the Agreement was approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The ongoing cost of the proposed third amendment is $4,820.08. Funding for the Agreement is available in the Police Department’s FY 2025-26 annual Operating Budget utilizing Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds (SLESF).
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Third Amendment to the Agreement with Flock Safety, Inc.
• Insurance - Flock Safety, Inc.
• Master Services Agreement