(Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing series that tracks the city’s expenditures appearing on upcoming Santa Monica City Council consent agendas. Consent agenda items are routinely passed by the City Council with little or no discussion from elected officials or the public. However, many of the items have been part of public discussion in the past.) CITY HALL — Elected leaders will be looking to give public employees a helping hand tonight as they consider whether or not to spend more than $310,000 on new computers for patrol cars, and new uniforms and floor mats for Big Blue Bus mechanics.
The majority of the money — $270,405 — will come from state grants intended to help finance front-line law enforcement projects not funded under the budget approved by City Hall. The remainder — $40,000 — will come from the city’s general fund, according to a city staff report.
In 2000, City Hall purchased 75 mobile computers that were installed in police department vehicles. Since then, nearly 50 new computers have been purchased to replace older, outdated models.
The remaining 25 are still in service, but need to be replaced to be compatible with the latest software used by the police department for in-vehicle reporting and in-vehicle video cameras, according to a report by city staff.
The existing network of computers use equipment and technology developed by Motorola, which will be the sole provider of all computers if a contract is approved tonight.
The mobile computers use a wireless communication system to send and receive information, including call for service data and CLETS (California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System) information. The police department operates a licensed radio frequency to transmit the data using Motorola equipment. The computers must use radio modems to communicate on this network, modems which are only provided by Motorola.
Any remaining grant funds will be used in conjunction with other funding to expand the wireless, mobile computer network to give officers greater access to data when they are patrolling certain areas in the city that are not covered by the current wireless network.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 28, 2006. Read the original PDF.