HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/05/2010, C 5 - AUTHORIZE FUNDS FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT FUND/TRAFFIC IMPOUND ACCOUNT TO PURCHASE TRAFFIC COL i
CO N n c i L Maung Dae
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CITY O F SAN LUIS O B I S P O
FROM: Deborah Linden, Chief of Police
Prepared By: Ian S. Parkinson, Police Captain
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE FUNDS FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT
FUND/TRAFFIC IMPOUND ACCOUNT TO PURCHASE TRAFFIC
COLLISION DIAGRAMMING COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE.
RECOMMENDATION
Appropriate $8,500 from available fund balance in the Law Enforcement Grant Fund/Traffic
Impound account to purchase traffic collision/crime scene diagramming software and hardware
equipment.
DISCUSSION
In 2000, Council approved a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant that enabled the
Police Department to hire two additional traffic officers and to purchase traffic collision
investigation equipment. One of the items purchased was a traffic collision/crime scene mapping
program called "Total Station."This equipment uses laser technology to plot locations at a traffic
collision scene or crime scene, and the data is transferred into a computer software program.. The
software program produces a scene diagram that is used for the police report and for court
displays and testimony. The "Total Station" system purchased in 2000 has become outdated and
unreliable and is need of replacement.
The most significant benefit of the diagramming system is the savings in staff time when
investigating a complex collision scene. For example, the Police Department recently
investigated a traffic collision involving a bus and a vehicle. The diagram and analysis were
critical to the determination of fault and liability. Due to the size of the scene, it took five officers
approximately three hours to complete measurements of 33 different scene locations and an
additional two hours to transfer those measurements onto a diagram. In contrast, had scene
diagramming technology been used, the same task would have taken one officer approximately
1.5 hours. In addition to traffic collision scenes, diagramming technology can be used at major
crime scenes, resulting in similar time savings and the ability to produce enlarged diagrams for
court exhibits.
Staff recommends the outdated diagramming system (hardware and software) be replaced, and
funding be appropriated from the Police Department's Law Enforcement Grant Fund/Traffic
Impound account for the purchase of a replacement system. This account was established in
2000 as a requirement of the OTS grant to hold fees collected from violators whose vehicles
were impounded because they were driving without a valid license. Pursuant to the grant
requirements, these funds must remain separate from the General Fund and must be used for
traffic-related programs, including technology utilized in the prosecution of traffic offenses. The
CS i
Council Agenda Report—Traffic Diagraming Equipment Page 2
purchase of the diagramming hardware and software meets these guidelines. Allocation from the
Law Enforcement Grant Fund/Traffic Impound account requires Council approval. Pursuant to
City financial policies, the purchase of the equipment will require approval by the Director of
Finance and Information Technology.
CONCURRENCES
The Director of Finance and Information Technology concurs with the recommendation.
FISCAL IMPACT
All costs associated with the purchase of the hardware and software will come from fees
accumulated in the Law Enforcement Grant Fund/Traffic Impound Account. Approximately
$40,000 in impound fee revenue has accumulated in this account and is available for use
pursuant to the grant parameters. There is no impact to the general fund associated with this
action.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not purchase the diagramming equipment. This alternative is not recommended.
Purchasing this equipment will save significant time and cost associated with collision and
crime scene investigations.
2. Purchase the diagramming equipment from the General Fund. The Law Enforcement Grant
Fund/Traffic Impound Account is designated for traffic-related programs. The proposed
expenditure fits within the guidelines for this account and the use of general fund money is
not necessary for this purchase.
T:\Council Agenda ReportsTolice CAR\2009\CAR-total station traffic diagramming 2009.doc