Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 25-0070INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0070 ";To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 3, 2025 0VAPage 1 of 1 SUBJECT: FLOCK CAMERAS INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT OF WAY 10� This Informal Report provides information in advance of a Mayor and Council Communication (M&C) that will be presented to the City Council on June 10, 2025, to authorize a Right -of -Way Use Agreement between the City of Fort Worth (City) and Flock Group, Inc. (Flock) to allow privately - owned Flock cameras to be installed within the City's right-of-way (ROW). The Fort Worth Police Department (PD) has successfully deployed Flock cameras throughout the City to monitor, detect, and follow up on crime. PD builds, maintains, and installs most of its own cameras, which use Flock software. PD installs cameras on public property because the cameras achieve law enforcement objectives and improve public safety. Existing agreements between the City and Flock govern PD cameras. Flock also offers hardware and software products to the public. Multiple homeowners' associations (HOAs) and businesses in the City have purchased and installed privately -owned Flock cameras on private property. The City and PD do not install or maintain private cameras. Several HOAs and businesses that own private cameras have partnered with PD to provide PD's Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) with access to private cameras. PD has designated two representatives to serve as contacts for any HOA that shares their private cameras with PD. Most private cameras are located on private property. However, the City has identified private cameras that were inadvertently installed in the City's ROW. Flock has worked with HOAs and businesses to relocate private cameras from the City's ROW onto private property where feasible. However, a few HOAs and businesses have asked the City to allow some cameras to remain in the City's ROW for camera effectiveness, and the City is supportive. The City and Flock have negotiated a Right -of -Way Use Agreement to allow future installations of private cameras within the City's ROW and to approve existing private cameras installed within the City's ROW. Flock will be responsible for paying the permit and inspection fees for existing private cameras within the City's ROW and for an annual fee on a per camera basis for the right to install cameras within the City's ROW. Private individuals who own private cameras within the City's ROW will not have direct access to data from those private cameras. However, PD has developed a process to expedite requests for RTCC data for those Flock customers who own private cameras. Proposed fees include a one-time permit and inspection fee of $250 per camera and an annual City ROW Use fee of $250 per camera. The City and Flock will determine the specific private cameras to remain in the City's ROW. Flock will pay the City $250 per camera for the permitting and inspecting of the private cameras that will remain in the City's ROW. ROW use fees will be billed annually. For any questions regarding PD's use of Flock cameras or the Right -of -Way Use Agreement with Flock for installation of non-PD cameras within the ROW, please contact Chief Robert Alldredge (robert.alIdred aenfortworthtexas.aov) or Michael Owen, City Engineer, Transportation & Public Works Department(michael.owe na.fortworthtexas.am ) . Jesus "Jay" Chapa City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS