Title
Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-243 authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with AVI Systems, Inc., dba Forte, for the construction of a Real Time Crime Center at the Police Department, in the amount of $341,912; and take appropriate action.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Police Department
BACKGROUND:
As Farmers Branch continues to grow in population, economic development, and daily vehicular traffic, demand for rapid information sharing and enhanced situational awareness has increased significantly. Modern police operations now rely heavily on real-time data, integrated technology, and coordinated communication.
The Police Department is requesting approval to construct a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) to serve as the central hub for these functions, providing officers and supervisors with immediate access to critical information and improving the department’s overall ability to prevent, respond to, and investigate crime. Establishing an RTCC is also a formally identified Strategic Initiative within the City’s Strategic Plan 2026, adopted with the FY 2025 - 26 budget, and aligns directly with the City Council’s focus on public safety and high-performance government.
DISCUSSION:
A Real Time Crime Center would enable the Police Department to use crime data, trends, and geographic analysis to inform patrol strategies and proactively address emerging hotspots, supporting the City Council’s long-term crime-reduction and community-safety goals.
The RTCC provides officers with timely, actionable intelligence, including live camera feeds, automated license plate reader alerts, suspect descriptions, and historical data on locations and individuals. Centralized monitoring streamlines analysis and communication during active incidents, major events, severe weather, and emergencies. Real-time coordination enhances resource deployment, speeds threat identification, and increases the likelihood of locating missing persons, stolen vehicles, and fleeing suspects.
The Police Department has already secured Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Act (MVCPA) grant funding, enabling investments in Flock ALPRs, surveillance cameras, and drones. Additionally, upgrades to CAD/RMS platforms and traffic monitoring systems have been approved by the City Council. The RTCC would integrate these systems into a unified operational platform, ensuring maximum benefit from existing technology and providing capacity for future advancements.
A Drone as a First Responder program also requires a centralized intelligence and monitoring environment. The RTCC would serve as the operational backbone for real-time drone deployment, video support, and safe, compliant flight operations.
To implement this strategic initiative, the Police Department requests authorization to use a one-time budget adjustment to establish and build the Real Time Crime Center at the Farmers Branch Police Department. This approach provides the necessary capital investment without creating an ongoing fiscal obligation. For ongoing operations, staff will continue to pursue state and federal grant opportunities, including MVCPA and other public safety technology grants, to sustain and enhance RTCC over time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
At the November 18, 2025, City Council meeting, the Council approved allocation of $800,000 to RTCC from the FY 2024-25 end-of-year budget surplus. From this allocation, $341,912 is proposed to be dedicated to the project, utilizing the end-of-year budget surplus in a fiscally responsible, non-recurring manner.
DISTRICT:
Citywide
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1. I move to approve Resolution No. 2025-243 as presented.
2. I move to approve Resolution No. 2025-243 with modifications.
3. I move to table the issue for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution No. 2025-243
2. Exhibit A - Agreement
3. Presentation