AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-18R, approving an amendment to the contract with FLOCK Group, Inc. for additional equipment and software for the police department’s license plate recognition technology in the amount of $124,068.49 for the first year, to be paid with grant funds, with three one-year extensions in the amount of $102,000.00 per year; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the contract amendment on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: June 3, 2025
Department: Police Department - Stan Standridge, Chief
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $124,068.49 ($61,600 grant funded)
Account Number: 13126008.56027; 12055231.60125; 10002141.52397
Funds Available: $124,068.49
Account Name: Software as a Service
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: On June 21, 2016, City Council approved a parking management consulting service agreement with Kimley-Horn. On December 6, 2016, Council received a presentation and held a discussion regarding the implementation of near-term parking management strategies as brought forward by Kimley-Horn. The first recommendation was to pursue implementation of enhanced and expanded parking enforcement using License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology. Council approved LPR technology on August 15, 2017. At the time, Parking Enforcement resided within the Police Department. On September 3, 2019, City Council adopted a budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019, that increased LPR software for the Police Department by $11,000. City Council voted on April 19, 2022, to approve a sole source agreement with Flock Group, Inc, for LPR software to be used by the Police Department for $103,500. The Police Department used seized funds for this initial purchase of 14 LPR cameras that were unrelated to parking enforcement. On February 20, 2024, Council approved a multiyear agreement with TXDOT for the installation of LPR cameras along state rights-of-way. City Council approved an additional 10 cameras with Flock on June 9, 2024. The Department used seized funds for the 20% match that the grant required. On August 20, 2024, the City Council authorized the submission of a Taskforce Grant Application with the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority. This grant would purchase an additional 9 cameras, with a required 20% match. The City received the grant and the City Council approved the award on December 3, 2024.
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Background Information:
As seen in previous Council actions, the City has used LPR software and hardware since 2017. The City currently has a contract with Flock Safety for 14 cameras in the amount of $47,068.49. In 2024, the Police Department applied for and received two grants specifically for the purchase of additional Flock Safety Cameras, which then require adding them to the existing software contract.
This item will add 19 cameras to the contract for a cost of $77,000 bringing the total contract amount to $124,068.49. The grant will cover 80%, or $61,600, of the $77,000. The recurring annual cost for the associated software of all cameras on this contract after Year 1 will be $102,000. The City will continue applying for grants in future years to cover a portion of the annual cost (which the City did in May 2025, as approved by the City Council). The Department will then have 33 cameras.
The Flock Safety Solutions is a network of cameras that operate as license plate readers. They offer real-time alerting and provide captured images used only in relation to an active investigation or open incident (per SMPD Standard Operating Procedure 5.4). Flock LPR cameras utilize technology that analyze vehicle license plates, state recognition, vehicle color, vehicle type, vehicle make and objects such as: roof racks and bumper stickers. These camera systems can capture and process images from multiple lanes of traffic. As such, these cameras provide objective, actionable evidence that focuses on stopping crime and not targeting people. Images that are captured do not focus on people but instead the vehicle and associated license plate. Videos are not captured; only images are captured and retained for 30 days. The LPR cameras take still images of cars passing through the lens (not video) and cannot follow or track vehicles once they leave the camera’s view. The 30-day retention ensures enough time for victims to come forward to report crimes, and for Police to search for any associated evidence.
In 2024, the Police Department investigated the sexual assault of a child in which the offender lived out of the state. Detectives were able to identify his vehicle, and when it was learned that he was returning to San Marcos to meet up with and take the child out of state, the license plate was entered into Flock. The license plate hit late in the night and officers were quickly dispatched to the area and located the offender before he could access the child. He was taken into custody.
Another example: In 2023, a woman was found murdered and her body burned in Robinson, Texas. An investigation found that the woman lived in San Marcos. Her vehicle was searched in Flock Safety and pictures of the vehicle were provided, thus helping establish a timeline of her murder. The suspect was later located and arrested in Wichita, Kansas.
Final example: In 2024, a series of burglaries and “peeping Toms” were reported as sexually motivated offenses on Mill Street. Within two weeks, the suspect was identified, and his vehicle was entered into a Hot List in Flock. The suspect returned to Mill Street, likely to offend again, but due to several Flock hits, Patrol Officers were able to saturate the area and take him into custody.
LPR cameras are effective as evidenced by numerous arrests and/or recovery of stolen vehicles and even the recovery of an abducted child who was taken to Dallas.
This contract is compliant with Local Government Code, Section 252.022(a)(7)(A), that allows procurement of items that area available from only one source. In this case, Flock Safety is the sole manufacturer and developer of the Flock Safety Automated License Plate Recognition Camera and the sole provider of the software support services that integrate with the Flock cameras.
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of this contract.