City Council Minutes 2023 05 02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes May 2, 2023 Page 4 of 8 Councilmember Most asked about the comprehensive plan and if signage will be looked at as well. She would like to see the sign code addressed to help business promotion. Mayor Maloney closed the public hearing. MOTION: Councilmember Most moved to approve Resolution No. 25; seconded by Councilmember Leh VOTE: Motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. FLOCK CAMERA PROGRAM UPDATE AND PURCHASE REQUEST Interim Chief Fisher provided a program update. In 2022, Council approved the purchase of 25 FLOCK plate reader cameras to be used in the Marshall Fire burn areas as a crime deterrent, security measure, and as an investigative tool in the event of a crime. The original purchase authorization was for 25 cameras and the original purchase was 20 cameras. In April, the cameras logged 27,082 license plate reads. Of those reads, 107 of them had associated "hot list" information attached to them; meaning there was something connected to that plate in the Colorado Crime Information System (stolen vehicle, missing person, etc.). He noted that in the packet there were a number of instances where the cameras provided valuable information. The largest example was the use of the FLOCK cameras to identify a license plate, and in conjunction with other means and other law enforcement, was found to be connected to burglaries on McCaslin. The police then tied that to a suspect in over 40 burglaries in the Denver Metro area. Without that camera read that person might still be at large. With the warmer weather and the increase in construction in the burn areas there is a lot of activity day and night. There is also in an increase in crime related to building supplies, materials and equipment being stolen. This is an additional request for cameras from the community, but he understands these aren't without controversy. He clarified that the cameras register plates as they pass the camera; they do not photograph drivers or occupants of the vehicle. It is only activated when a vehicle passes and is not a surveillance camera. The police are proposing the additional cameras to meet the requests of the community but understands there are concerns on implementation and use. He is hopeful there is a happy medium. The request is to fill the order for the remaining 5 cameras that were authorized last year, including four pole mounted / stationary cameras, and one mobile camera that can be placed in various locations depending on circumstances such as a rash of thefts.