RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Sheriff-Coroner, or designee, to apply for and accept a grant in an amount up to $20,000 from Contra Costa County Keller Canyon Mitigation Trust fund to purchase an automated license plate reader.

FISCAL IMPACT:

$20,000, 100% Keller Canyon Mitigation Funds. No County match.

BACKGROUND:

It is not uncommon for gang members to steal cars to commit property crimes and/or use them in drive-by shootings. When a shooting call comes in to the Office of the Sheriff the patrol units respond to the location code 3 (lights siren). Obviously the suspect vehicle is fleeing the scene while we’re on the way. The suspect vehicle information is usually not obtained until the responding units arrive and begin to interview witnesses. In the past we have been informed, by confidential informants, that we have passed the suspect vehicle on the way to the call. The goal of this program is to remove/arrest gang members before they commit crimes in the Bay Point community and discourage them from making Bay Point a destination to commit crimes. By having an automatic license plate reader in the Resident Deputy’s patrol car, more arrest of gang members and other individuals will help reduce violent and property crimes in the community.