San Pablo, CA – On Monday April 16, 2018, the San Pablo City Council voted unanimously to approve the Public Safety Equipment Project.
The approved project will partner with ODIN Systems to increase the number of current situational awareness surveillance cameras from 134 to 194, and the current ALPR cameras from 16 to 72 with an approved budget of approximately $2.6 million dollars.
Since 2011, the San Pablo Police Department successfully began using the Shot Spotter gunshot detection software, situational awareness cameras, and automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. This technology has played a significant role in solving and deterring crime. This is evident in the reduction of overall crime and the 74% decrease in gun violence since 2011. This enhanced technology will be in addition to our commitment to strategies of community policing and progressive training to greatly reduce crime and increase overall public safety.
On March 19, 2018, the San Pablo City Council heard community concerns regarding the technology expansion as it related to community values and immigration enforcement. Subsequently, Chief of Police Ron Raman met with several community groups and invited community members to a public workshop on April 11, 2018. During these dialogues, the community shared perspective and provided input on the direction of the program. We partnered with Vigilant Solutions who sent an executive team to meet with community members and reaffirm their commitment to our community values. Contract language was agreed upon between the City of San Pablo and Vigilant Solutions and ODIN Systems to include liquidated damages from the technology companies should unauthorized sharing of data occur. Staff also amended ALPR and surveillance camera policy to specifically address the issues of data sharing and immigration enforcement to be consistent with City Council Resolution #2017-045 and SB54. As a result, several community members attended the City Council meeting this past Monday to share their support and recognizing the benefits of the technology expansion.
The technology installations will begin immediately with the goal of 100% completion before the end of the year. The San Pablo Police Department is committed to ongoing community dialogue regarding this project or any other topic surrounding the enhancement of the public safety within our community.
Information provided by the San Pablo Police Department
