Report Title:

Surveillance Cameras; Graffiti

 

Description:

Establishes a pilot project in the city and county of Honolulu to develop and evaluate a program for the acquisition, placement, operation, and maintenance of video surveillance cameras for the purpose of deterring property damage offenses, especially graffiti, and prosecuting offenders.  Appropriates funds.  (HB1618 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1618

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to property damage.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  There is established in the city and county of Honolulu a two-year pilot project to develop and evaluate a program for the acquisition, placement, operation, and maintenance of video surveillance cameras for the purpose of deterring property damage offenses, especially graffiti, and prosecuting offenders.

     (a)  The project shall evaluate and acquire video surveillance systems using criteria including but not limited to:

     (1)  Quality of the image captured, including:

         (A)  Digital or analog technology;

         (B)  Lines of resolution;

         (C)  Color or black and white;

         (D)  Night vision capability; and

         (E)  Video or still photography;

     (2)  Camera controls, including:

         (A)  Tilt, pan, and zoom capacity;

         (B)  Remote operation by wireless, computer, or internet-based system, and associated software; and

         (C)  Automatic operation by motion, sound, or light detection;

     (3)  On-site audible or flashing light alarm systems triggered by offender activity and remote notification to police that activity has been captured by page, electronic mail, or telephone;

     (4)  Media on which images shall be recorded and stored, whether at the surveillance site or other remote location;

     (5)  Portability or ability to relocate the system to target high-offense activity areas, including self-contained power and wireless data transfer;

     (6)  Availability of manufacturer or vendor support, including warranties;

     (7)  Previous use for evidence gathering purposes; and

     (8)  Cost of acquisition.

     (b)  The project shall place the acquired systems in locations known or likely to be the target of property damage offenders, especially those who "tag" property with graffiti, as defined by section 46-1.5(24)(C).

     (c)  The project shall establish and evaluate procedures for operation of the systems including but not limited to:

     (1)  Whether the system will be operated by police or civilian personnel; and

     (2)  How images will be retrieved and preserved to fulfill any chain of custody requirements for admission as evidence in court proceedings.

     (d)  The project shall establish and evaluate procedures for maintenance of the systems including but not limited to:

     (1)  Whether maintenance will be performed by the police, the vendor, or other third party;

     (2)  Whether systems will be removed for evaluation and preventive maintenance or replaced only upon malfunction; and

     (3)  Whether additional, standby equipment will be used to replace systems undergoing maintenance to preserve surveillance capacity at the chosen location.

     (e)  Where sufficient evidence is obtained by use of the surveillance system to establish the commission of an offense and the identity of the offender, the project shall recommend prosecution of the offender.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to establish a pilot project to deter property damage offenses, especially graffiti, and to prosecute offenders.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the city and county of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  The city and county of Honolulu shall submit to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2008 and 2009, a report on the progress of the pilot project, including any recommendations for legislation and the amounts and means of funding.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2009.