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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 AUDIO VIDEO EQUIP 09-07-99AGENDA NO. 10 .i 9-7-99 lnter-Com DATE' SEPTEMBER 7, 1999 TO' FROM: SUBJECT: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER POLICE DEPARTMENT MOBILE AUDIO VIDEO EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION Authorization be granted to purchase five Kustom Signals "Eyewimess" Mobile Audio Systems, from Kustom Signals, Inc., 9325 Pflm Lenexa, KS 66215-3347. FISCAL IMPACT $25,300.00 plus applicable tax (Budgeted Item) ~10400-5020-9800 · BACKGROUND The police department has installed Mobile Audio Video Equipment in each of its 23 marked Patrol units. Three units were installed in June 1993, as demo u~ and the remaining 20 systems were purchased and installed in the first quarter of 1994. The department has currently one Kustom Signals "Eyewimess" System, which was installed in November 1996. As of August 1, 1999, the department has purchased and is in the process of installing the last of five Kustom Signals "Eyewitness" Systerra purchased in the first quarter of 1999. Six of 23 marked units will be equipped with "Eyewitness" gear by the end of August. Two additional "Eyewimess" systems purchased in the last fiscal year will be installed by September 15, 1999, bringing the total to eight marked units. The Mobile Audio Video Equipment has proven its worth time after time. Through the video and audio recording of incidents street police officers encounter, it diminates the majority of questions and provides a factual foundation for evaluating many. of the incidents which may arise in the field and differences of opinion that occur as to circumstances and procedure. This tool has served the City well in its defense on numerous lawsuits and criminal cases, which do not go to court because of the factual evidence available. Due to the service life of the department's older Crim-Tec equipment, an orderly replacement was implemented during the 1998/1999 fiscal year. At that time it was recommended that five units per year be W'dliam A~ Huston, City Manager .September 7, 1999 Page 2 replaced for the next five years which would completely modem the Patrol fleet at the Ieast fiscal impact per year. We are now in the second phase of the replacement schedule. The department's Kustom Signals Systems have never experienced down time because of equipment failure. This is a significant record in that these police units and the Mobile Audio Video Equipment are on the road 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The serviceability and durability of this equipment cannot be questioned. The · ongoing maintenance needed to keep these units in tip-top shape is performed by a local company (Glendora). Their response and service has been excellent. Kustom Signals will also offer, as part of the purchase price, two years free maintenance which would have an after-market value of $420 per unit. Based on the proven reliability and level of service provided by the authorized representative for Kustom Signals, it is the opinion of the department that the equipment replacement proceed as planned with the purchase 0ffive Kustom Signals "Eyewitness" Systems in 1999/2000 fiscal year. It is our opinion, that the goal to update the older equipment as well as maintain the same level of quality product throughout the fleet of marked units will be met through this purchase. We recommend this budgeted item purchase be approved. STEVE FOSTER Chief'ofPolice SF:FW:et