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BACKGROUND <br /> The City has consistently sought innovative ways to enhance public safety and <br /> effectively address crime prevention and law enforcement challenges. The police <br /> department currently employs several technologies that have had positive outcomes in <br /> deterring and solving crime. For example, automated license plate reader (ALPR) <br /> cameras have demonstrated efficacy by alerting officers when stolen vehicles enter <br /> Pleasanton. The department has used ALPR technology since 2018, and it has become <br /> a useful tool for officers and dispatchers. <br /> The need for additional tools for law enforcement is becoming increasingly significant. <br /> The region, including the community, has experienced an increase in certain crimes <br /> such as motor vehicle theft, residential burglaries, organized retail theft, and catalytic <br /> converter thefts in recent years. An analysis of crime statistics in the city, and in the Tri- <br /> Valley, indicates additional resources are needed to enhance the department's current <br /> strategies. The nature of most property crimes, including organized retail theft and <br /> catalytic converter theft, makes it difficult to prevent and the apprehension of criminals <br /> challenging. <br /> The police department has seen success in the significant investments made in <br /> technology and other resources to combat theft and other crime in the community. One <br /> such investment is the deployment of automated license plate readers (ALPR) at 17 <br /> fixed locations throughout the city. While this investment is paying off, other technology <br /> is necessary to address the issues the community is facing. <br /> An important consideration in the use of technology is privacy. The department's policy <br /> regulating the use of ALPR data ensures this technology and the associated data is <br /> used for authorized purposes. There is a 30-day retention period for the data collected. <br /> An audit trail and a justification are collected for each authorized access of the data. <br /> ALPR data is shared with local and state law enforcement agencies for the purpose of <br /> information sharing; however, the department does not share the data with federal law <br /> enforcement or any non-law enforcement entities. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> In recent years, recorded situational awareness cameras have emerged as a valuable <br /> tool for policing, contributing to crime reduction, crime-solving, and community safety. <br /> Although many technologies are already in use in Pleasanton, the City has not adopted <br /> a policy allowing the use of recorded situational awareness cameras. The primary <br /> benefits of situational awareness cameras are twofold. First, when a crime or incident is <br /> reported it enables police department staff to access a camera that may be near the <br /> location of the crime in progress and puts resources "virtually" on scene within seconds. <br /> Second, when investigating a crime that has already occurred, valuable investigative <br /> leads can be obtained by viewing recorded video of areas surrounding the location of <br /> the crime. <br />