HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2011-009 Sponsored by: Oates
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2011 -009
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AMENDING THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERA POLICY
WHEREAS, the City of Seward has used surveillance cameras as a protective
measure and a deterrent since the current system was installed in 2004; and
WHEREAS, when used properly surveillance cameras help to lower crime and protect
critical, expensive infrastructure as well as public and private property; and
WHEREAS, in April 2009 Seward City Council instructed administration to draft a
policy for the installation and use of surveillance cameras in public places and council adopted
the Surveillance Camera Policy by Resolution 2010 -028 on March 22,2010; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward Council met in a work session on November 8, 2010 for
the purpose of identifying concerns related to the policy, and the attached policy revisions reflect
the outcome of that meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City of Seward Surveillance Camera Policy to herby amended as attached
to this resolution.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2011 -009
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 14 day of
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February 2011.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Willard E. Dunham, Mayor
AYES: Valdatta, Smith, Shafer, Dunham
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bardarson, Keil, Casagranda
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
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( Jshanna Kinney
`.City Clerk, CMC
(City Seal)
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Council Agenda Statement
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Meeting Date: January 24, 2011 ,� ; �
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Through: Phillip Oates, City Manager 0 '`q51`'
From: Tom Clemons, Chief of Police
Agenda Item: Amending the Surveillance Camera Policy
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
In April of 2009 City Council directed administration to draft a policy regarding surveillance
cameras. That policy is attached and Council approval being requested.
Since 2004, the City of Seward has developed a system of fifteen surveillance cameras through
out the city. These cameras were installed to help protect City infrastructure and property and to
help deter crime. Initially crime, such as vandalism, was reduced in the area, even where no
camera was placed or the camera was inoperable. When used properly surveillance cameras help
to lower crime and protect critical, expensive infrastructure.
The Seward City Council held a work session on November 8, 2010 to revise the accepted
Surveillance Camera Policy. The council addressed concerns related to public privacy,
acknowledgement of the cameras, and audits of the system.
In the amended policy all cameras will have signage that indicates surveillance operations,
property owners will be notified when cameras inadvertently overlap into their property, and
random audits will occur at least two times annually.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST:
Where applicable, this resolution is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter,
Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures.
INTENT:
This resolution requests that Council approve the amended Surveillance Camera Policy.
ATTORNEY REVIEW: The City Attorney reviewed the Surveillance Camera Policy.
FISCAL NOTE:
There is no fmancial impact associated ith the policy changes.
Approved by Finance Department
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolution 2011 - amending the City Surveillance Camera Policy.
Gai
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City of Seward
Surveillance Cameras Policy
1. PURPOSE
The placement of surveillance cameras in the City of Seward area will contribute to public safety for
residents and visitors by employing a system that incorporates modern technology for video monitoring,
storage, and retrieval. This system will improve the Department's awareness of public safety emergencies,
help prevent and detect criminal activities, and support the apprehension and prosecution of those
responsible for unlawful activities. This "smart- policing" technology, combined with the confidence and
trust of our residents, can help to improve public safety. All cameras will have sigiiat a that indicate
surveillance operations.
This policy establishes rules for employing and using the surveillance system, achieving program goals,
and protecting the rights all citizens have for privacy.
All public surveillance cameras will be noticed.
11. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
A. The video surveillance system used by the City of Seward Police Department will utilize multiple
fixed and adjustable cameras focused on predetermined areas in public places. Cameras shall be situated
in a manner and location that will maximize the field of view of public areas to protect infrastructure and
improve public safety. Camera placement will minimize the potential and inadvertent capture of images
from areas where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Property owners will be notified when
cameras inadvertently overlap into their property.
B. In any location where the view of any camera may compromise a citizen's privacy expectation the
Chief of Police or \designated staff, shall review the camera's location to relocate the unit or employ
window - blanking technology to eliminate the potential for video intrusion. All findings will be reported
in writing to the City Manager.
C. The system shall be equipped with Pan, Tilt, and Zoom (PTZ) cameras that allow operators to
manipulate the framing or focal length of a video image only for the specific purpose of monitoring
suspicious persons or activities or as the result of a Call -For- Service (CFS).
D. The City of Seward MIS Department in coordination with the Police Department will have
authority to install, service, and maintain the surveillance camera system.
IL1. RACIAL PROFILING/NONDISCRIMINATION
No operator shall select any person for observation in view of the surveillance camera system based
solely on their race, ethnicity, or sex. The surveillance camera system shall only be used for purposes
directly related to public safety, infrastructure protection, or authorized internal or criminal investigations.
The surveillance camera system shall not be used to track individuals arbitrarily, or based on race, gender,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or other classifications protected by law.
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Approved by Resolution 2010 -028 on March 23, 2010
Operators shall make specific observations of individuals based only on articulable reasonable suspicion
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that the person may be or may have been involved in criminal activity, or as the result of a Call -For-
Service to law enforcement for criminal activity in the area of the camera's viewing parameters.
IV. STORAGE/RETRIEVAL OF IMAGES
Video images captured by the surveillance system will be automatically recorded over after 31 days
unless the Department or other law enforcement agency submits a request to review the captured images
for a legitimate criminal investigation. Access will be limited to those individuals described in Section VI
below.
V. IDENTIFYING MONITORED ZONES
The City of Seward surveillance camera system shall be equipped with capabilities that provide an audit
trail of system use and user access. The Chief of Police and designated staff will investigate complaints of
improper use of the system. All findings will be reported in writing to the City Manager. Random audits
will occur at least two times annually.
VI. USER ACCESS
Authorized users will be limited to those law enforcement employees with a specific, ongoing need to
access the system for the purpose of crime prevention and the detection, identification, or apprehension of
individuals as a result of a safety emergency response or authorized criminal investigation. All users
require the approval of the Chief of Police or the Acting Chief of Police.
All persons designated as authorized system users shall receive training and a unique user identification in
order to access the system. Images stored on servers shall only be accessed and retrieved by authorized
system users, after approval of the Chief of Police, in response to public safety emergencies, authorized
internal or criminal investigations, or legally requested copies under of the Public Information Act.
The Police Department will charge a $30 fee for legally requested copies of surveillance camera footage.
VII. UNUSED VIDEO DATA
Video data that is not retained for evidentiary purposes, public safety reasons, or as a result of a court
order will not be reproduced, distributed, provided. or shown to other persons without approval of the
City Manager.
IX. VIDEO DATA AS EVIDENCE
Video data retained for evidentiary purposes shall only be reproduced for the purpose of case filing and
pre -trial discovery with the approval of the District Attorney. All copies will be accounted for in the
Department's Evidence storage system.
The City of Seward surveillance camera system will be randomly audited, to ensure that the system is
being used appropriately.
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Approved by Resolution 2010 -028 on March 23, 2010
X. PAN, TILT & ZOOM (PTZ) CAMERA USAGE
A. All active observation operations employini� PTZ cameras shall be done as the result of specific
articulable probable cause.
13. PTZ camera operators are responsible for protecting the public's right to privacy.
C. PTZ camera operators are forbidden from looking at non- public areas and areas in which there is
a reasonable expectation of privacy.
D. PTZ camera operations will be audited for misuse violations.
E. PTZ camera images and operators are subject to the all the items in this policy.
XI LOCATION OF CAMERAS
City Council approval is required of all surveillance cameras locations in areas other than the critical
infrastructure identified in the latest vulnerability assessment for the City of Seward from Alaska
Homeland Security. Any exception to this requirement for a covert surveillance camera requires the
approval of the City Manager and the City Council will be notified as soon as an arrest has been made.
Exceptions could also occur as directed by court order.
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X11. POLICY VIOLATIONS
Unauthorized access to the City of Seward surveillance camera system, misuse of the camera system,
unauthorized reproduction of surveillance camera images, or unauthorized distribution of camera images
by city employees will result in immediate suspension pending an investigation to determine
the appropriate disciplinary action. This disciplinary action includes the possibility of
termination from employment.
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Approved by Resolution 2010 -028 on March 23, 2010