Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Public Safety Director to enter into a contract with SST, Inc. dba ShotSpotter to establish a gunfire detection, alert, and analysis pilot program. The department intends to deploy technology commonly known as ShotSpotter, a subscription based service that involves the installation of a gunfire sensor network in areas identified by the City. These sensors connect to a cloud-based data center infrastructure, providing a 24/7/365 gunfire monitoring service within a three (3) square-mile radius of the installed sensor infrastructure.
In addition to gunfire detection, the ShotSpotter service will notify law enforcement agencies of gunfire incidents and direct them to the precise location of illegal gunfire. The service also offers the capability to instantly notify officers of shootings in progress with real-time data delivered to dispatch officers, patrol cars, and smart phones. The alerts are intended to improve police response to incidents of gunfire, enhance officer safety, speed aid to victims, assist in investigations and the collection of evidence, and ultimately, the apprehension of dangerous offenders.
The data collected from this gunfire detection service can also be used to help prevent future crimes by informing law enforcement of prospective locations where gun related crimes are likely to occur. Agencies that have adopted ShotSpotter Technology as part of a comprehensive crime-reduction strategy have reported reductions in urban gunfire by up to 80 percent and related violent crime by as much as 40 percent. The gunfire detection system can also be integrated with existing City technology infrastructure to capture, layer, and share data across platforms.
This initial contract will establish a one (1) year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of the technology, and to measure how the system may aid law enforcement and improve response to incidents of gunfire. The results of the pilot will inform decisions related to future contracting of related services.
The pilot phase anticipates the installation of the technology in the Hilltop, Linden, and South Side neighborhoods. The continuation of this initiative, and any potential expansion into additional neighborhoods, will be considered based upon a review of the overall effectiveness of the pilot program.
This ordinance also requests the approval to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code, Chapter 329. SST, Inc. has the necessary skills, experience, and technology platform to ensure that the pilot program is implemented quickly and successfully. SST, Inc. is currently working with the City of Cincinnati to implement a similar gunfire detection infrastructure. Experience working successfully with another Ohio municipality helped inform the decision to initiate a pilot program with SST, Inc.
Emergency: Emergency action is requested so that this gunfire detection system can be implemented as quickly as possible.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation authorizes an expenditure of $685,000.00 from the General Fund with SST, Inc. for a gunfire location, alert, and analysis system. These funds are available within the 2018 General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Public Safety Director to enter into a contract with SST, Inc. dba ShotSpotter to establish a gunfire detection, alert, and analysis pilot program; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code, Chapter 329; to authorize the transfer of $685,000.00 between departments within the General Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $685,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($685,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety desires to test a gunfire detection, alert, and analysis service to assist law enforcement respond to incidents of gunfire in Columbus neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety has identified the technology and services offered by SST, Inc., commonly referred to as ShotSpotter, to be utilized in a gunfire detection, alert and analysis pilot program; and
WHEREAS, ShotSpotter can deliver instant, accurate tactical awareness to the Division of Police including precise location anywhere within coverage area including latitude/longitude and street address, exact time and number of rounds fired and shooter position, speed and direction of travel; and
WHEREAS, ShotSpotter will provide incident data and forensic data to the Columbus Division of Police including: sequence of rounds fired with time and position data, type or types of weapons used and number of weapons or shooters; and
WHEREAS, ShotSpotter features built-in interoperability using standards-based communications protocols to share data across systems, roles, and other agencies for a streamlined and coordinated response to all critical events; and
WHEREAS, ShotSpotter can interface with video surveillance systems that require guidance to train individual cameras and capture video intelligence at the scene of an incident; and
WHEREAS, ShotSpotter may improve police response to incidents of gunfire, enhance officer safety, speed aid to victims, assist in investigations and the collection of evidence, and ultimately, the apprehension of dangerous offenders; and
WHEREAS, agencies that have adopted ShotSpotter as part of a comprehensive crime-reduction strategy have reported reductions in urban gunfire by up to 80 percent and related violent crime by as much as 40 percent; and
WHEREAS, SST, Inc. has the necessary skills, experience, and technology platform to ensure that this pilot program is quickly and successfully implemented; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code, Chapter 329; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Public Safety Director to enter into a contract with SST, Inc. for a gunfire location, alert, and analysis system, to ensure that this gunfire detection service can be implemented as quickly as possible thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Safety Director is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with SST, Inc. dba ShotSpotter for a pilot program for period of up to one (1) year for a gunfire detection, alert, and analysis system and to provide the capability of the system to be integrated with existing City technology infrastructure in order to adequately capture, layer, and share data across technology platforms.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $685,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 General Fund, from Dept-Div 4501 Financial Management, Object Class 10 - Transfer Out, to Dept-Div 3001 Public Safety-Director's Office, Object Class 03 - Contractual Services per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 2151-2018 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of up to $685,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the General Fund 1000, in Object Class 03 - Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 2151-2018 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 4. That this Council finds it is in the City's best interest to waive the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes regarding competitive bidding.
SECTION 5.That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications.
SECTION 7. That for the reason stated in the preamble here to, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.