HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10e - Purchase of ALPR Camera Subscription
STAFF REPORT
POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: November 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Roy Nakamura, Chief of Police
By: Amber Abeyta, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: PURCHASE ORDER WITH FLOCK SAFETY GROUP INC. FOR THE
PURCHASE OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER (“ALPR”) CAMERA
SUBSCRIPTION FOR 43 ALPR CAMERAS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$129,000
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Approve
SUMMARY
The Arcadia Police Department utilizes a subscription-based system for 51
Automated License Reader ("ALPR") cameras. This subscription service, procured
from Flock Safety Group Inc. (“Flock”), is renewed on an annual basis. A subscription-
based system is the preferred model due to the ability to streamline maintenance,
upgrades, and equipment, further enhancing the effectiveness of the cameras. The
Flock ALPR camera subscription was purchased in phases, therefore, the renewal of
43 Flock ALPR cameras is scheduled for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The remaining eight
cameras are scheduled for renewal in Fiscal Year 2026-27.
The Flock ALPR cameras have proven to be an effective tool in combating and
preventing crime, and the Department would like to renew the Flock ALPR camera
subscription for Fiscal Year 2025-26. It is recommended that the City Council approve
the Purchase Order with Flock Safety Group Inc., for the purchase of an Automated
License Plate Reader (“ALPR”) camera subscription for 43 ALPR cameras, in an
amount not to exceed $129,000. It is further recommended that the City Council
delegate the authority to approve future renewals under this agreement to the City
Manager, provided that any financial increases remain within standard inflationary
levels.
Flock ALPR Camera Subscription PO
November 18, 2025
Page 2 of 4
BACKGROUND
In 2008, the Police Department implemented an ALPR system to combat criminal
activity, enhance productivity, and improve officer safety. The ALPR system
automatically captures license plates from passing vehicles, as well as vehicles
parked on a street or in a parking lot. Once the license plate is processed, the officer
operating the ALPR (or the Department’s Dispatch Center) is immediately notified
whenever a license plate that is associated with the following criteria is identified:
stolen vehicle, identification of vehicles connected to wanted felons, Amber Alerts, or
any other public safety criteria determined by the Department.
In Arcadia, ALPR camera systems are located in fixed locations throughout the City.
The ALPR system retains license plate data and vehicle photographs for a period of
30 days, which allows investigators time to review this data and locate vehicles
associated with criminal activity in the City. Once potential vehicles are connected to
a crime, investigators input license plate information that triggers an alert to all
officers, providing a digital photo of the vehicle and pinpoint mapping of its current
or previous location.
The ALPR system captures more vehicle data than any single officer could produce
on their own. The ALPR system has resulted in numerous recoveries of stolen
vehicles and provides timely alerts of criminally wanted vehicles entering the City,
leading to arrests. In 2021, with the City Council’s approval, the Department replaced
the original ALPR camera system due to age-based malfunctions, transitioning from
a purchase/ownership option to a subscription-based platform. A total of 20 cameras
were acquired (“Phase 1”). The ALPR camera project was further expanded with the
City Council’s approval in 2023 adding 23 cameras (“Phase 2”) and in June 2025,
adding eight cameras. The three phases combined resulted in a total of 51 cameras.
DISCUSSION
The Flock ALPR camera system is a subscription-based platform that offers a range
of features. For instance, the cameras are covered by an extended warranty program
and service plan. In addition, the consultant is responsible for monitoring the
cameras to ensure they are always performing to optimal standards. More
importantly, Flock’s all-inclusive price per camera includes hardware, software, SIM
card and data plan, warranty maintenance, monitoring, and software upgrades.
Flock ALPR Camera Subscription PO
November 18, 2025
Page 3 of 4
Some additional benefits of the Flock Safety ALPR camera system include:
• Solar generated power, eliminating the need for the City to run connections
to traffic signal poles for power;
• Detecting vehicles with no plates, temporary plates, dirty/covered plates, and
accurate state detection;
• Effectively processing the black Legacy plates that lack illuminating features;
• Covering two traffic lanes (former cameras covered one lane), which
increases coverage at the City’s intersections;
• Data hosting on a cloud-based Criminal Justice Information System (“CJIS”)
system, eliminating the need for costly in-house servers; and
• Allowing the Department to share intelligence with neighboring agencies in
L.A. County and law enforcement agencies nationwide.
The locations of the Flock ALPR cameras were strategically placed along the City’s
perimeter, in response to crime trends. Furthermore, the eight ALPR cameras in
Phase 3 were specifically positioned to capture license plates along key exit routes
near the Shops at Santa Anita, aiding in the development of leads on criminal
suspects.
The renewal cost for the Flock ALPR cameras for Phases 1 and 2 amounts to
$129,000, covering 43 cameras at a rate of $3,000 each. The Phase 3 ALPR cameras
are not due for renewal until Fiscal Year 2026-27.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), based on Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA
Guidelines, as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the
environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds in the amount of $129,000 have been allocated in the Fiscal Year
2025-26 General Fund Operating Budget.
Flock ALPR Camera Subscription PO
November 18, 2025
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not
constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and
approve the Purchase Order with Flock Safety Group Inc. for the purchase of
Automated License Plate Reader (“ALPR”) camera subscription for 43 ALPR cameras,
in an amount not to exceed $129,000. It is further recommended that the City Council
delegate the authority to approve any such one-year renewals to the City Manager,
without having to return to the City Council for further authorization, provided that any
financial increases remain within standard inflationary levels.
Attachment No. 1: Flock ALPR Camera Subscription Quote
Flock Safety + CA - Arcadia PD
______________
Flock Group Inc.
1170 Howell Mill Rd, Suite 210
Atlanta, GA 30318
______________
MAIN CONTACT:
Libby Landers
libby.landers@flocksafety.com
4047774113
Created Date: 01/08/2025
Expiration Date: 01/20/2025
Quote Number: Q-117609
PO Number:
Attachment No. 1
Quote
This document is for informational purposes only. Pricing is subject to change.
Bill To: 250 West Huntington Drive Arcadia, California 91007 Ship To: 250 West Huntington Drive Arcadia, California 91007
Billing Company Name: CA - Arcadia PD Subscription Term: 12 Months
Billing Contact Name: Renewal Term:
Billing Email Address: Payment Terms: Net 30
Billing Phone: Billing Frequency: Annual - First Year at Signing.
Hardware and Software Products
Annual recurring amounts over subscription term
Item Cost Quantity Total
Flock Safety Platform $69,000.00
Flock Safety Flock OS
FlockOS ™ - Included 1 Included
Flock Safety LPR Products
Flock Safety Falcon ® Included 23 Included
Professional Services and One Time Purchases
Item Cost Quantity Total
One Time Fees
Subtotal Year 1: $69,000.00
Annual Recurring Subtotal: $69,000.00
Estimated Tax: $0.00
Contract Total: $69,000.00
Taxes shown above are provided as an estimate. Actual taxes are the responsibility of the Customer. This is not an invoice – this document is a non-binding proposal
for informational purposes only. Pricing is subject to change.
PHASE 2
Product and Services Description
Flock Safety Platform Items Product Description
Flock Safety Falcon ® An infrastructure-free license plate reader camera that utilizes Vehicle Fingerprint® technology to capture vehicular attributes.
One-Time Fees Service Description
Installation on existing
infrastructure
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site & safety assessment, camera setup & testing, and shipping & handling
in accordance with the Flock Safety Advanced Implementation Service Brief.
Professional Services -
Standard Implementation Fee
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site and safety assessment, camera setup and testing, and shipping and
handling in accordance with the Flock Safety Standard Implementation Service Brief.
Professional Services -
Advanced Implementation Fee
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site & safety assessment, camera setup & testing, and shipping & handling
in accordance with the Flock Safety Advanced Implementation Service Brief.
Flock Safety + CA - Arcadia PD
______________
Flock Group Inc.
1170 Howell Mill Rd, Suite 210
Atlanta, GA 30318
______________
MAIN CONTACT:
Libby Landers
emily.atzen@flocksafety.com
4047774113
Created Date: 10/29/2025
Expiration Date: 11/08/2024
Quote Number: Q-106995
PO Number:
Quote
This document is for informational purposes only. Pricing is subject to change.
Bill To: 250 West Huntington Drive Arcadia, California 91007 Ship To: 250 West Huntington Drive Arcadia, California 91007
Billing Company Name: CA - Arcadia PD Subscription Term: 12 Months
Billing Contact Name: Renewal Term:
Billing Email Address: Payment Terms: Net 30
Billing Phone: Billing Frequency: Annual - First Year at Signing.
Hardware and Software Products
Annual recurring amounts over subscription term
Item Cost Quantity Total
Flock Safety Platform $60,000.00
Flock Safety Flock OS
FlockOS ™ - Essentials Included 1 Included
Flock Safety LPR Products
Flock Safety Falcon ® Included 20 Included
Professional Services and One Time Purchases
Item Cost Quantity Total
One Time Fees
Subtotal Year 1: $60,000.00
Annual Recurring Subtotal: $60,000.00
Estimated Tax: $0.00
Contract Total: $60,000.00
Taxes shown above are provided as an estimate. Actual taxes are the responsibility of the Customer. This is not an invoice – this document is a non-binding proposal
for informational purposes only. Pricing is subject to change.
PHASE 2
Product and Services Description
Flock Safety Platform Items Product Description
Flock Safety Falcon ® An infrastructure-free license plate reader camera that utilizes Vehicle Fingerprint® technology to capture vehicular attributes.
One-Time Fees Service Description
Installation on existing
infrastructure
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site & safety assessment, camera setup & testing, and shipping & handling
in accordance with the Flock Safety Advanced Implementation Service Brief.
Professional Services -
Standard Implementation Fee
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site and safety assessment, camera setup and testing, and shipping and
handling in accordance with the Flock Safety Standard Implementation Service Brief.
Professional Services -
Advanced Implementation Fee
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site & safety assessment, camera setup & testing, and shipping & handling
in accordance with the Flock Safety Advanced Implementation Service Brief.
FlockOS Features & Description
FlockOS Features Description
Community Network Access
The ability to request direct access to feeds from privately owned Flock Safety Falcon® LPR
cameras located in neighborhoods, schools, and businesses in your community, significantly
increasing actionable evidence that clears cases.
Unlimited Users Unlimited users for FlockOS
State Network (License Plate Lookup Only) Allows agencies to look up license plates on all cameras opted into the Flock Safety network
within your state.
Nationwide Network (License Plate Lookup Only)
With the vast Flock Safety sharing network, law enforcement agencies no longer have to rely on
just their devices alone. Agencies can leverage a nationwide system boasting 10 billion additional
plate reads per month to amplify the potential to collect vital evidence in otherwise dead -end
investigations.
Law Enforcement Network Access The ability to request direct access to evidence detection devices from Law Enforcement
agencies outside of your jurisdiction.
Time & Location Based Search Search full, partial, and temporary plates by time at particular device locations
License Plate Lookup Look up specific license plate location history captured on Flock devices
Vehicle Fingerprint Search
Search footage using Vehicle Fingerprint™ technology. Access vehicle type, make, color, license
plate state, missing / covered plates, and other unique features like bumper stickers, decals, and
roof racks.
Insights & Analytics Reporting tool to help administrators manage their LPR program with device performance data,
user and network audits, plate read reports, hot list alert reports, event logs, and outcome reports.
ESRI Based Map Interface Map-based interface that consolidates all data streams and the locations of each connected
asset, enabling greater situational awareness and a common operating picture.
Real -Time NCIC Alerts on Flock ALPR Cameras
Receive automated alerts when vehicles entered into established databases for missing and
wanted persons are detected, including the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) databases.
Unlimited Custom Hot Lists Ability to add a suspect’s license plate to a custom list and get alerted when it passes by a Flock
camera