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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3b - Pilot Program for Private Security Camera Services DATE: October 3, 2017 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Robert Guthrie, Chief of Police By: Dr. Jennifer Brutus, Management Analyst SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HOME BOT AUTOMATION, INC. (DBA RING) FOR A PILOT PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE SECURITY CAMERA SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $25,000 Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY In 2016, the City experienced increased residential burglaries and attempted burglaries, reaching their combined highest point of 54 incidents in December. Data for the first two quarters of 2017 have also revealed similar trends of criminal activity. In response to this uptick in crime and in an effort to prevent future residential burglaries and aid investigations, it is recommended that the City establish a one-year pilot program with Bot Home Automation, Inc. (dba Ring) whereby City residents can purchase Ring’s private security camera products at a discounted price ($100 off: $50 City contribution and $50 Ring subsidy). Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council approve, and authorize and direct the City Manager to execute, a Professional Services Agreement with Ring for private security cameras services for the period of October 4, 2017, through June 30, 2018, in an amount not to exceed $25,000. The contract will include an option to renew for three additional one-year periods. BACKGROUND From 2015 to 2016, there was a sharp 22% increase in violent and property crimes in Arcadia. The most significant increase by category was burglary and attempted burglary, which increased by 66% when considering residential and commercial incidents combined. It should be noted that burglaries are also rising in many other San Gabriel Valley cities. Overall, the increase in property crime can be attributed to recent prison reform legislation in California, like Assembly Bill (“AB”) 109 and Proposition 47. The City of Arcadia has identified a program offered to municipalities by the vendor Bot Home Automation, Inc. (dba Ring) for discounts on their private security camera products – the most popular model is known as the Ring Video Doorbell. Several Private Security Camera Services – Bot Home Automation, Inc. (dba Ring) October 3, 2017 Page 2 of 5 agencies across the U.S. have partnered with Ring including local agencies like the Cities of Commerce, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, and Los Angeles (LAPD), among others. In 2016, Ring partnered with the LAPD to install Ring Video Doorbells in a large percentage of the Wilshire Park neighborhood and after six months the neighborhood experienced a 55% reduction in burglary crimes compared to the previous year’s level. Hoping to generate similar results, a handful of other agencies are currently in the process of establishing Agreements with Ring for subsidy programs, including the City of La Canada Flintridge. Staff conducted an informal bid process and discovered that, although other video doorbells and private security cameras are on the market, they do not compare to Ring’s product specifications, pricing, and capabilities. DISCUSSION The City would like to partner with Ring for a one-year pilot program as part of its Crime Reduction Strategy. The Program, which would operate out of the Arcadia Police Department’s Community Affairs Office, would encourage residents to take a proactive approach toward preventing crime in their communities by purchasing a Ring Video Doorbell or other security camera product at a discounted price. Under the Program, the City would offer residents a monetary incentive of $50 toward any one (1) Ring Video Doorbell or a select number of private security camera products. In addition, the City has negotiated a subsidy with Ring to further reduce the cost to residents. Ring is offering an additional $50 off the Ring Video Doorbell 2, Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Ring Video Doorbell Elite, Spotlight Cam Battery, Spotlight Cam Wired, and Floodlight Camera, which would bring the total resident discount to $100 on any of these products. Like the City’s incentive, Ring’s $50 discount is also limited to one (1) product per resident household. The savings available for residents are as follows: Model Retail Price City's Incentive Ring's Product Discount Arcadia Resident’s Price Video Doorbell 2 $199 $50 $50 $99 Video Doorbell Pro $249 $50 $50 $149 Video Doorbell Elite $499 $50 $50 $399 Spotlight Cam Battery $199 $50 $50 $99 Spotlight Cam Wired $199 $50 $50 $99 Floodlight Cam $249 $50 $50 $149 The company also agrees to provide residents with an additional $30 off discount that will be valid on up to two (2) additional devices per household as well as an additional discount of 20% off Ring Accessories. This does not apply to the Ring Video Recording Services or non-Ring accessories. Agreement for Private Security Camera Services with Bot Home Automation, Inc. (dba Ring) October 3, 2017 Page 3 of 5 All of the models enable residents to receive instant alerts when visitors press the doorbell or trigger the built-in motion sensors, and see, hear, and speak to anyone at their front door from their smartphone, tablet, or PC. The intercom capability enables residents to respond audibly and view live video feed – even if they are not actually home. Thus, residents who are at work or on vacation can lead suspects to believe they are home and possibly deter break-ins. The cameras can also assist law enforcement agencies by recording suspects during the commission of their crimes. Additionally, it offers convenience for those residents who are busy working in their garage or occupied at home, but still want to have eyes and ears around their residence. The main difference between models is the power source. Some, such as the Video Doorbell 2 can operate on a quick-release rechargeable battery that can attach anywhere. Others can only be hardwired, or require Ethernet cables. All Ring products are weather resistant. Each product also comes with 30 days of free Video Recording Service, which would allow residents access to Video Review (review all Ring videos anytime, anywhere), Cloud Storage (save videos for up to 60 days), Video sharing (with friends, family and neighbors), and Event Saving (ability to save and delete videos from account). After the free trial expires, residents have the option of extending the service for $3 per month per camera ($30 per year) or $10 per month for an unlimited number of Ring cameras ($100 per year). All Ring products come with a 1-year warranty and if the product is ever damaged or stolen within this time frame, the company is committed to replacing it for free. Under the Agreement, Ring will provide the City with a promotional code, which can be given to residents for use when purchasing a camera online via the company’s website www.ring.com. The code will only be valid if the purchaser enters a shipping address with one of the City’s four zip codes. In order to ensure the code is provided to qualified residents, Arcadia residents will be required to contact the Program Administrator to receive the code and sign a General Release Agreement, which covers use of the promotional code, a general release, release of unknown claims (waiver of Civil Code 1542), and disclaimer of representation and warranties. The promotional code will only be active for 120 days at a time. The Police Department is also interested in hosting a kick-off event for the Program in which the Police Department would explain the program to residents in-person. Under the Agreement, Ring would make available company representatives from their Neighborhood Division to deliver a presentation on the products being offered, differences between models, installation, and be available to answer questions. Ring would also bring products to the event for residents interested in making a direct purchase. Private Security Camera Services – Bot Home Automation, Inc. (dba Ring) October 3, 2017 Page 4 of 5 In regards to payment, Ring would invoice the City on a monthly basis for the City’s portion ($50) for each resident household that redeems the promotional code. When the invoiced amount reaches the agreed upon total for the program, which in this case is $25,000, the promotional code would no longer provide the discount until additional funds are made available from the City. Ring would also notify the City when 300 (60%) of the promotional codes have been redeemed. In addition to an accounting statement, Ring will also provide the City with an address report for the products purchased in order to help the Arcadia Police Department track the location of Ring Video Doorbells and other Ring security camera equipment, and assess the level of community interest. Overall, a pilot-program with Ring for private security cameras for use by Arcadia residents can help create safer neighborhoods. The company’s goal aligns with the Arcadia Police Department’s – to help stop crime before it happens. In addition, Ring is devoted to helping communities and their product goes beyond traditional home security. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council approve Bot Home Automation, Inc. (dba Ring) as the City’s provider of private security camera services for the period of October 4, 2017, through June 30, 2018, with the option to renew on a year-to-year basis for three additional one-year periods. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT For the one-year pilot program, the City’s financial obligation will be a maximum of $25,000, which is variable depending on actual community interest. The funds have been budgeted in the City’s approved FY 2017-18 Police Department Budget. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council approve, and authorize and direct the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Bot Home Automation, Inc. (dba Ring) for private security camera services in an amount not to exceed $25,000. Agreement for Private Security Camera Services with Bot Home Automation, Inc. (dba Ring) October 3, 2017 Page 5 of 5 Attachments: 1. Proposed Professional Services Agreement 2. PowerPoint Presentation – Crime Reduction Strategy Ring Subsidy Program City of Arcadia Crime Reduction Strategy Ring Subsidy Program Robert T. Guthrie, Chief of Police Dr. Jennifer Brutus, Management Analyst October 3, 2017 Background •Crime increase in Arcadia o Residential Burglaries o Attempted Residential Burglaries •Similar trends in 2017 •Burglaries on the rise in SGV •Attributed to recent prison reform legislation o Assembly Bill (AB) 109 o Proposition 47 2 Crime Reduction Strategy •Bot Home Automation, Inc. (dba Ring) o Private home security camera products •Ring Video Doorbell o Product discounts o Partnerships with several cities •Commerce, Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, LAPD •La Canada Flintridge o Preventing/reducing crime •LAPD – Wilshire Park neighborhood 3 The Wilshire Park Story •10% of homes were given Video Doorbells •In 6 months, burglaries by 55% •Ring Neighborhoods Beta o Digital Neighborhood Watch 4 1. Set radius around your home 2. Get alert when neighbors share Ring videos 3. Watch videos recorded by your neighbors in your app 4. If your Ring catches something suspicious, share the video with your neighbors Ring Neighborhoods Beta 5 •PSA 1-year •Encourage residents o Build a Ring of Security o Safer neighborhoods •$100 discount per resident household o $50 City Incentive o $50 Ring Product Discount •Promotional Code •Total Budget: $25,000 (500 units) •Invoice City (monthly basis) Ring Subsidy Pilot Program 6 Ring Product Discounts for Arcadia Residents Model Retail Price City's Incentive Ring's Product Discount Arcadia Resident’s Price Video Doorbell 2 $199 $50 $50 $99 Video Doorbell Pro $249 $50 $50 $149 Video Doorbell Elite $499 $50 $50 $399 Spotlight Cam Battery $199 $50 $50 $99 Spotlight Cam Wired $199 $50 $50 $99 Floodlight Cam $249 $50 $50 $149 7 Discounted Products: Video Doorbells 8 Spotlight Cameras Floodlight Camera 9 •Hosted by APD Community Affairs Office •Date: November 2017 •Location: EOC •2 sessions: morning & afternoon •Invite Arcadia residents to learn about Ring Subsidy Program o Ring Presentation o Purchase products in-person •Social media promotion Ring Kick-Off Event 10 Questions 11