Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF CARSON AND THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE USE OF CITY OWNED LICENSE PLATE READER TECHNOLOGY (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
At the May 3, 2022, City Council Meeting, the City Council approved the purchase of four License Plate Reader Trailers (“LPRs”).
This item transmits a request for City Council to approve the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) between the City and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (the “LASD”) regarding use of the LPRs by LASD (Exhibit 1).
While the LPRs will be owned by the City of Carson, allowing LASD full use of the LPRs will help the City and LASD accomplish our shared public safety objectives. These include, but are not limited to, identifying vehicles associated with potential criminal activity, helping mitigate speeding vehicles, and displaying valuable public information for community members to read as they are driving by.
The LPRs have been purchased and are anticipated for delivery to the City in summer 2022.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. APPROVE the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Carson and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (Exhibit 1).
2. AUTHORIZE the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Understanding following approval as to form by the City Attorney.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate and that is consistent with applicable laws.
IV. BACKGROUND
As noted in the proposed MOU, the City and LASD would share responsibilities for the LPRs, including identifying the best locations for deploying the technology throughout the City. The LPRs would be moved around the City as various needs arise. The LPRs could also be used as directional signage and for other public information purposes. The intent of procuring four trailers is to help ensure that all sections of the City are equally covered and receive the safety enhancing benefits of the mobile LPRs.
Staff is continuing to work with LASD on broader security plans that could include the installation of stationary LPRs along the City’s major corridors. Using these four mobile LPRs in coordination with LASD is part of that broader security enhancing effort. Plans for additional LPRs will be addressed to City Council separately from this staff report, as this item focuses only on the MOU to govern use of the LPRs by LASD.
Staff will pursue grant funding opportunities for expanding the City’s overall LPR program, when possible.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Memorandum of Understanding with LASD (pgs. 3 - 10)
Prepared by: Michael George, Assistant to the City Manager