Commerce council approves one‑year amendment for mobile security camera trailers

The City of Commerce council on March 10 approved a first amendment to the city's agreement for mobile security camera trailers, authorizing staff to renew and expand mobile camera services for a 12‑month period with a contract not to exceed $75,000.

Councilmember Agromedo moved to approve the measure; Mayor Pro Tem Garcia seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilmember Agromedo pressed staff for a longer‑term plan and a midterm update. "Hopefully, you'll report back on how it's working and, you know, if it's having an impact," he said, asking staff to return roughly six months later with deployment details and outcomes.

City staff described the item as a renewal and upgrade to prior camera systems. The city manager told the council that a permanent, citywide camera solution would require additional network capacity — work that staff expects to coordinate with a planned citywide Wi‑Fi network. "Without those capabilities, those cameras can only store a very short period of time," staff said, adding that some systems currently retain less than 72 hours of footage.

The council approved the amendment and requested that staff report back on how often trailers are deployed, where they are placed, and whether their use correlates with arrests or other measurable reductions in crime. No amendments were made to the staff recommendation at the meeting.

The action was recorded as an approval of the first amendment to the agreement for mobile security camera trailers; staff will return with the requested six‑month update and any recommendations for longer‑term infrastructure funding.