Beginning in 2013, the Allen Police Department began to use mobile Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology with cameras affixed to patrol vehicles. The program was expanded in 2014 and one patrol unit was replaced in 2019. The Department's use of ALPR technology is currently limited to mobile units (hardware and software mounted to police cars). Most of the ALPR units are out-of-date, and no longer supported by the manufacturer.

Through the 2019 Strategic Plan, the Police Department was assigned an objective to research the feasibility of using high speed license plate scanners for increased public safety. It was determined that the most efficient use of ALPR technology was on a fixed platform rather than a mobile vehicle platform. A Strategic Plan objective for 2020 is to update the Department's Automated License Plate Recognition program (hardware and software) by installing fixed ALPR systems at strategic locations in the City to target crime and repeat offenders.

The Department examined other agency's use of fixed ALPR systems and developed policy with safeguards to address privacy concerns in the community. The police department is proposing to transition to a "fixed-location" ALPR system where the hardware is mounted to stationary objects in strategic locations. The police department would phase the program in with the initial purchase of 10 ALPR cameras and 20 additional cameras being added over years two and three. The purchase agreement would span 7 years (5 years with the addition of cameras 21-30). The police department will continue to maintain at least one vehicle with the ALPR system and one additional mobile unit.  The addition of fixed-location ALPR cameras will allow the police department to address crime in higher crime areas of town.

Vigilant owns and manages the single largest license plate recognition data sharing initiative.  This data consists of commercial data harvested by Vigilant and made available for law enforcement consumption.  Vigilant Solutions offers an exclusive Mapping Alert Software enabling municipalities to leverage the data sharing initiative and to match all available License Plate Reader data against agency hotlists.

This project is for the amount of $564,860. This amount includes the purchase of cameras, equipment, installation and 5-year service subscription. 

The budgetary impact would be as follows:

• Year 1 - $140,960 (cameras 1-10, services and equipment)

• Year 2 - $124,450 (cameras 11-20, services and equipment)
• Year 3 - $141,950 (cameras 21-30, services and equipment)
• Year 4 - $52,500 (subscription services for 30 cameras)
• Year 5 - $52,500 (subscription services for 30 cameras)
• Year 6 - $35,000 (subscription services for 20 cameras)
• Year 7 - $17,500 (subscription services for 10 cameras). 

Total 7 year expenditure - $564,860.

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase and subscription agreement with Vigilant Solutions, LLC., as the Sole Source Provider for 30 Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) hardware, software and professional services over a 7-Year period in the amount of $564,860.

I make a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase and subscription agreement with Vigilant Solutions, LLC., as the Sole Source Provider for 30 Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) hardware, software and professional services over a 7-Year period in the amount of $564,860.