Title
Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the purchase of Vigilant Solutions License Plate Reader (LPR) computer hardware and software systems and maintenance for a not to exceed amount of $675,000;
2) Find that, in accordance with Section 3.12.160. of the El Dorado County Ordinance Code, due to the unique nature of the property or services required competitive bidding is precluded;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute a purchase agreement contingent upon County Counsel and Risk approval; and
4) Approve the addition of LPR systems to the FY 2021-22 Fixed Asset List. (Continued from 4/6/2021, item 37) (4/5 vote required)
FUNDING: California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team Special Revenue and Homeland Security Grant Funds.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On 12/2/20, the Sheriff’s Office requested and received approval for an increase to the Fixed Asset purchase of LPR units in the FY 2020/2021 budget and has conducted extensive research for the purchase. The purchase of the License Plate Reader system improves the Sheriff's Office abilities to track crime suspects' entry points, respond to kidnappings, and to solve crimes throughout the County as a manner of ensuring public safety, preventing crime and utilizing public information as a means of justice. Nearly seventy percent (70%) of crimes committed involve a vehicle and given that license plates are provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles they are considered public information. Utilizing a License Plate Reader system allows for the identification of vehicles, tracks leads and helps law enforcement capture additional evidence needed to solve crimes. Additionally, LPRs have proven to be an effective method to solve methamphetamine trafficking cases when illegal substances are transported throughout an area. This License Plate Reader System will not be utilized to monitor citizens, but rather a means to protect them from those seeking to do harm...
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