ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and Chief of Police with a Request for the Following:
A. ACCEPT the FY2020 STRATEGIES IN POLICING INNOVATION (SPI) GRANT from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) of the Department of Justice (DOJ), in the amount of $516,123.00; and
B. ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the City of Peoria 2020-2021 BIENNIAL BUDGET Relating to the Capital Fund to Recognize the Receipt of Grant Funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Providing the FY2020 Strategies in Policing Innovation (SPI) Grant and Corresponding Expenditures, in the Amount of $516,123.00; and
C. APPROVE a SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE of Real-Time Policing Software, Linking of 5 Sources to the Software, and Yearly Maintenance costs for 3 years from STREET SMART, in the Amount of $135,400.00
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BACKGROUND: On March 13th, 2020 the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) released the FY2020 Strategies for Policing Innovation (SPI) Competitive Grant Solicitation. The City of Peoria Department applied under the purpose area of this program for funding of technology-driven justice information sharing solutions in response to a precipitous increase in violent crime and homicides. It is for this purpose which the Police Department seeks to leverage federal funds for the purchase of technology-driven solutions and improvements that incorporate data sharing at a local level across multiple platforms, under the proposed Peoria Police Department Data Sharing Initiative. In November 2020 the City of Peoria was notified of its award of $516,123.00 in federal funds to support the Peoria Police Department Data Sharing Initiative. With these funds the City of Peoria will upgrade Police Department information technology systems that are in need, including in car Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) which are overdue for replacement and out of warranty, purchase cutting edge real-time policing software from Street Smart to improve data processing and integration across the Department’s existing platforms to provide personnel in the field with up-to-the-minute information, as well as address the software needs of the Police Department’s Focused Deterrence Program.
Street Smart Real-Time Policing Software is designed to link data from the Police Department’s existing sources such as CAD, Records Management System, Sex Offender Registry, Parole and Probation information, Shot Spotter and many other systems and funnel it into a map based program in which Officers on the street can see real-time information integrated in to one platform, share information and bulletins, and collaborate, keeping them up to speed with information as it becomes available. Street Smart was chosen due to its unique CJIS compliant platform and ability to link existing standard and custom sources to the software, and has been implemented by agencies such as Tampa, FL Police Department, Bloomington, IN Police Department, Fulton County, GA Police Department, among many others. Under the Peoria Police Department Data Sharing Initiative Program, the software would be implemented in 2021 and its effectiveness in combating violent crime and increasing Police Department efficiency would be measured and made available in a report to the BJA under the grant program. This report would be available to City leaders following the 3-year program to determine viability of continued use of Street Smart software in 2024 and beyond.
Under this Grant, the Police Department will also upgrade outdated Mobile Data Terminals in fleet vehicles, many of which are malfunctioning, out of warranty and would cost for to fix then they would to replace. During the three year program, the Police Department would break up the MDT purchases over 3 years to stagger the rotation of old MDTs out of the fleet, starting with the lowest condition and oldest MDTs first. This would provide sustainability following the 3-year Grant program to allow for staggered purchases in the future as MDTs go out of warranty and begin to malfunction. Functional MDTs will play a key role in Data Sharing and Integration and the use of the Street Smart software by officers. CDS holds the statewide bid for Panasonic Toughbooks and accessories associated with Panasonic Toughbooks and I-WIN communication, Contract # CMS5848520.
Also, under the program the Police Department would research and implement upgraded software for its Focused Deterrence Program. Currently, the Focused Deterrence team is using outdated and under-equipped software to assist those individuals in our community affected by or involved in violent crime the most. Upgrade software would likely increase the efficiency of the Focused Deterrence team and help achieve the goal of the Peoria Police Department Data Sharing Initiative Program in addressing violent crime within our neighborhoods. The Peoria Police Department Data Sharing Initiative team will research viable software options for this purpose in the first year of the grant program and return to Council with a purchase request when a decision has been made.
The BJA Strategies in Policing Innovation (SPI) Grant is a 3-year grant program requiring reporting on performance-based metrics, collaboration with BJA and City Staff, Project Team Leaders attending annual national SPI Conferences, and final reporting on results of the local program and data to the BJA.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City of Peoria will receive $516,123.00 for the Peoria Police Department Data Sharing Initiative’s improvement of law enforcement information systems and implementation of data sharing/integration software. The use of grant funds for these initiatives frees up limited local dollars for other uses.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: There are no neighborhood concerns identified at this time
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The City of Peoria will receive $516,123.00 in Federal funds to improve law enforcement information systems and implement of data sharing/integration software. These upgrades and implementations are intended to provide real-time data sharing, assist personnel in the field, increase Police Department efficiency and effectiveness, and ultimately combat the precipitous increase in violent crime in Peoria.
IMPACT IF DENIED: If denied, the City of Peoria will lose $516,123.00 of federal monies from the U.S. Department of Justice. Further, if denied the weaknesses of current information systems and software would limit the availability of real-time information sharing and limit the Police Department’s ability to respond to the precipitous increase in violent crime, and possibly have a detrimental effect on Department efficiency and effectiveness.
ALTERNATIVES: There are no alternatives identified at this time.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Not applicable for this request.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2016 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
2. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reduce crime.
2. Support sustainability.
3. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Police