For City Council Meeting January 28, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to Approve (1) the Sixty-Six (66) Month Contract for the FUSUS Real-Time Crime Center Platform with AXON Enterprise, Inc., Formerly Known as Taser International, in the Amount of $431,000.00, and (2) Authorize the Interim City Manager or Designee to Execute all Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
• Approve the sixty-six (66) month contract for the FUSUS Real-Time Crime Center Platform with Axon Enterprise, Inc., in the amount of $431,000.00, and
• Authorize Interim City Manager or designee to execute all documents
BACKGROUND
The Rialto Police Department is dedicated to improving public safety by enhancing response times and the overall quality of responses to criminal incidents. FUSUS developed a platform for Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCC), which was later acquired by AXON Enterprise, Inc. The Rialto Police Department has been utilizing FUSUS since 2020, significantly improving our ability to respond to critical incidents with enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. FUSUS provides responding officers with real-time information during emergencies, while also supporting investigators in gathering evidence and solving crimes within our community.
The Rialto Police Department demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to technology by embracing innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and improve public safety. Recognizing the importance of staying ahead of evolving crime patterns and technological advancements, the PD continually seeks ways to integrate cutting-edge tools and data-driven strategies into our policing efforts. The use of a RTCC is a prime example of this forward-thinking mindset, as it will enable officers to respond swiftly and strategically to incidents, while fostering a deeper connection between law enforcement and the community. A key feature of FUSUS is its ability to foster collaboration between law enforcement and the community.
With the acquisition of FUSUS by AXON Enterprise, a recognized leader in law enforcement technology, the RTCC industry is poised to enter a new era of innovation. AXON's established reputation for developing advanced tools like body cameras, TASER devices, and cloud-based data management systems, combined with FUSUS' platform for real-time data integration and crime monitoring, positions the company to become a dominant force in the RTCC market.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The goal of a Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) is to equip law enforcement agencies with cutting-edge, evolving technologies that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of policing. The concept of RTCCs emerged in the early 2000s as law enforcement agencies recognized the growing need for real-time data and advanced tools to combat crime. These centers serve as centralized hubs where officers can access and analyze a wide range of technologies, from surveillance cameras and license plate readers to predictive analytics and databases, enabling officers to respond swiftly, and often immediately, to ongoing or recently committed crimes. The RTCC’s ability to deliver real-time operational intelligence has revolutionized policing by providing enhanced situational awareness, allowing officers to address criminal activity with greater precision. Furthermore, RTCCs help safeguard not only officers and citizens but also the broader community by facilitating a proactive approach to crime prevention and intervention. Their role has become increasingly vital as the complexity and volume of criminal activity have grown, making the RTCC an indispensable tool for modern law enforcement.
The RTCC will give officers immediate access to critical information from multiple sources, improving their ability to respond quickly and effectively. By integrating technologies like Vigilant and FLOCK Automatic License Plate Recognition (LPR) with FUSUS RTCC platform, officers can track suspect vehicles and view live video feeds in real time. These systems combine surveillance footage and location data, enabling swift, strategic responses. FUSUS’ geo-fencing feature allows officers to access camera feeds from areas surrounding an incident, providing valuable visual evidence to support investigations and tactical decisions while optimizing resource use.
The Rialto Police Department currently utilizes FUSUS as part of its public safety systems. FUSUS is a surveillance technology platform that enables the creation of a "Real-Time Intelligence Ecosystem," a centralized database providing access to both public and private cameras throughout the city of Rialto. Community members who choose to participate can register or fully integrate their cameras into the system. Once integrated, Rialto PD can view the locations of registered cameras and access real-time footage from integrated cameras in one centralized location. Most wired network cameras, including both public and private ones, can be connected to FUSUS.
One of the key benefits of FUSUS is its voluntary nature for existing businesses when it comes to sharing private business cameras with law enforcement. Business owners who wish to contribute their cameras to the system can voluntarily share footage with police, typically for cameras located in public rights of way or on commercial properties. This voluntary sharing is not meant for private residential cameras, ensuring that personal privacy is respected. This arrangement fosters a cooperative relationship between law enforcement and local businesses, enhancing public safety without infringing on individual privacy rights.
Participants in the FUSUS program can choose between two options: registering their cameras or fully integrating them for real-time access. Participation is voluntary, allowing individuals to decide their level of involvement, with the option to withdraw at any time. Camera registration enables Rialto PD to map the precise locations of private cameras in a GIS, streamlining requests for footage. Alternatively, full integration involves purchasing a FUSUS-CORE device and software subscription, granting Rialto PD live feed access during emergencies. The device encrypts and transmits video and audio to a secure cloud dashboard, with camera owners controlling data retention. All access by authorized Rialto PD users is logged for accountability.
This accountability of FUSUS includes the robust auditing system that ensures transparency and security. This auditing mechanism is designed to prevent law enforcement from arbitrarily accessing surveillance cameras without the explicit knowledge and consent of business owners. Whenever an officer requests access to a camera, the system logs the activity, including details such as the time, identity of the officer, and purpose of the access. This creates an auditable trail that holds law enforcement accountable for their actions and ensures that the business owner is notified of any viewing or interaction with their camera footage. By providing such oversight, FUSUS balances law enforcement needs with privacy concerns, safeguarding businesses from unauthorized surveillance and promoting trust between the community and law enforcement agencies.
The FUSUS system is designed with robust security measures to prevent any manipulation or alteration of surveillance footage by law enforcement agencies. It operates in a "view-only" mode, meaning authorized users, such as law enforcement personnel, can only monitor real-time footage and data without the ability to change settings, control cameras, or access administrative functions. This restriction ensures the integrity of the system is maintained, preventing unauthorized tampering or abuse. By limiting interaction to passive viewing, FUSUS upholds a high standard of security and accountability, safeguarding the system from potential misuse.
The integration of FUSUS into the RTCC will modernize public safety by offering a connected, efficient, and data-driven approach to crime prevention and response. By combining real-time surveillance with advanced data analytics, FUSUS allows law enforcement to act swiftly and decisively while fostering collaboration with the community. This technology enables officers to work smarter, not harder, creating a safer environment for both citizens and law enforcement. With the launch of the Rialto Police Department RTCC at the new police station, FUSUS will enhance the department's impact and provide more opportunities to combat crime. Participation is voluntary, encouraging community support and engagement, and has already generated significant enthusiasm among business owners and stakeholders, strengthening the connection between law enforcement and the community.
In November 2019 FUSUS was approved as a sole source software management system. Staff worked with the city’s Purchasing Division and determined that this purchase is acceptable as specified under Rialto Municipal Code 2.48.280 - Sole source procurement by the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and excludes the following:
1) Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, general policy and procedure making
2) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or in direct physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto has outlined key goals and objects relating to public safety. The purchase of this technology is in consistent with meeting these objectives.
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report and agreement and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
Funding in the amount of $15,000.00 is budgeted in the approved fiscal year 2024/2025 budget in Account No. 10106150 52011, for the first of the five payments due for this contract with AXON Enterprise, Inc
Staff will budget annual needed funding for each year for fiscal years 2025/2026 through 2029/2030 in Account No. 10106150 52011 for the obligations for years 2 - 6, for a total contract amount of $431,000.00, as stated in the chart below.
|
FISCAL YEAR |
YEAR OF CONTRACT |
CONTRACT AMOUNT DUE |
|
2024/2025 |
1 |
$15,000.00 |
|
2025/2026 |
2 |
$35,000.00 |
|
2026/2027 |
3 |
$75,000.00 |
|
2027/2028 |
4 |
$90,000.00 |
|
2028/2029 |
5 |
$100,000.00 |
|
2029/2030 |
6 |
$116,000.00 |
|
GRAND TOTAL: |
|
$431,000.00 |
Per Rialto Municipal Code Section: 2.48.145 a vendor disclosure form has been received from the vendor and is attached to this report.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This report does not impact the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not trigger a requirement for a business license.