To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Acceptance of a Report of the Sheriff's Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Accept the report of the Sheriff’s Automated License Plater Reader (ALPR) Program consistent with the requirements of California Civil Code 1798.90.55(a), during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, provide members of the public and the Board with an opportunity to comment upon and provide suggestions relating to the Sheriff’s Office’s Operation of the Automated License Plate Reader technology within Humboldt County, to include policies, procedures, privacy concerns and transparency toward concerned community members and policy makers.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Byrne JAG Local Grant (1100-221910)
Homeland Security Grant (1100-221820)
NorCal Coalition Funding (1100-221955)
DISCUSSION:
Senate Bill 34 and Civil Code Section 1798.90.55 (a), require any public agency that operates or intends to operate an Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system to provide an opportunity for public comment at a regularly scheduled public meeting of the governing body of the public agency before implementing the program. The Sheriff’s Office has previously used an ALPR system within several contract cities and in the unincorporated areas of Humboldt County, prior to the law change. The ALPR system being implemented now consists of cameras mounted to street poles and/or other fixed points along the roadway, that automatically take photographs of vehicle license plates which are then translated into letters and numbers. The resulting data is compared to law enforcement databases to see if the vehicle has been reported stolen, used in a crime, or is displaying lost or stolen license plates. If the license number is found to be wanted, the system alerts the Sheriff’s Office so they can investigate further. Prior to any enforcement activity being initiated, deputies are required to verify the alert with dispatch or directly via the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS). The ALPR data is only accessible by law enforcement personnel for official investigative purposes and all access is logged by an authorized user. The Sheriff’s Office is committed to operating ALPR technology in a measured means that balances personal privacy concerns and public safety. The Department follows strict protocols in the access, storage, and use of ALPR data to ensure its integrity and compliance with applicable laws. ALPR data collection and retention policy is listed within the Sheriff’s Policy 437. Data may only be used for official law enforcement purposes, and cannot be transferred, or sold for any other use. Employees are required to attend training about the system and the policy prior to being given access to the system. Annual audits of the system to ensure privacy and security shall be conducted by the Sheriff’s Operations Division Commander. The authorized vendors with access to the ALPR system are required to maintain security procedures and practices, including operational, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, to protect ALPR information from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure.
The Sheriff’s ALPR Policy (Policy 437) is posted within the department policies on the Department’s website at: www.humboldtsheriff.org <http://www.humboldtsheriff.org> and the date and location of public comments will be added once finalized. The Sheriff’s Office does not sell, share or transfer ALPR information except to another public agency, as specified in Civil Code section 1798.90.55 (b).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cameras have been purchased by various grant and donation funding sources. Seven cameras were purchased in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 with Byrne JAG Local grant funding budget unit 1100-221910 in the amount of $21,150 with one-year annual maintenance included. Two more are being purchased in FY 2023-24 with Homeland Security grant funding in budget unit 1100-221820 in the amount of $14,000 with two years of annual maintenance included. The annual maintenance of the cameras after the initial purchase/maintenance term is $2,500 per camera and will be included in the NorCal Coalition donation funding budget unit 1100-221955 starting in FY2024-25.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Framework:
Core Roles: Enforce laws and regulations to protect residents
New Initiatives: N/A
Strategic Plan: N/A
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board Discretion
ATTACHMENTS:
1. ALPR Presentation
2. HCSO Policy 437
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A