HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportCALIFORNIA
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NATIONAL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 16, 2012
TO: Adolfo Gonzales, Chief of Police
FROM: Manuel Rodriguez, Assistant Chief
SUBJECT: New motorcycles for the Traffic Division
Summary
The City has been collecting Developmental Impact Fees since 2005 to offset the
costs of new development; there were three methods used to calculate this fee
for police services: The Plan -based Method was used for a new police
substation, the Cost Recovery method was used for the main headquarters and
the Incremental Expansion method was used for new police vehicles.
Due to the economic recession, the City of National City has not been able to
replace the four (4) motorcycles purchased in 2004. There are three primary
reasons to replace the current motorcycles used in the Traffic Division: officer
safety, cost effectiveness, and professional image. The expected cost is
approximately $125,000.
Background
The Police Department is committed to increasing traffic and pedestrian safety in
our City. Officers have stepped up enforcement around all National City schools,
conducted multiple successful DUI checkpoints, and engaged in multi -agency
traffic enforcement details. Through all this enforcement, the Traffic Division has
increased the number of citations and arrests of unlicensed drivers.
In order to continue improved service to the community and increase traffic
safety the purchase of reliable, quality, and well maintained equipment is a
necessity. An important tool for the Traffic Division is the motorcycle. The
effectiveness of the motorcycle in an enforcement environment has been proven
by the nimbleness and flexibility unseen in a police car. The need for the
purchase of new motorcycles is best summarized in the following three reasons:
officer safety, cost effectiveness, and the portrayal of a professional image.
1
1200 National City Boulevard
National City, CA 91950
(619) 336-4512/Fax (619) 336-4525
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Officer safety on motorcycles is paramount; the Department takes extra
precautions to ensure that officers who ride motorcycles are thoroughly trained,
complete a motor academy and are therefore competent in their riding abilities
before conducting any motorcycle traffic enforcement. Officers who ride
motorcycles are more vulnerable than those who drive police cars; it is the nature
of riding a motorcycle.
When a car breaks down while driving, it generally is not a safety issue.
However, when a motorcycle breaks down while driving, the event could be
catastrophic. During a recent operation in Chula Vista, officers were participating
in "Cite Day" enforcing traffic laws, when a National City Motor Officer almost lost
control of his motorcycle due to an electrical malfunction. The officer was trying
to catch a speeding vehicle clocked using radar at 75 MPH in a school zone
when his motorcycle engine cut-out, causing him to almost lose control of the
bike. Anytime a motorcycle's speed is drastically reduced or eliminated, such as
engine failure, there is a propensity for the motorcycle to lose control. In this
instance, because of the Officer's skill and training, the officer was able to
maintain control and stop safely.
The cause of the malfunction was attributed to aging, brittle wires controlling the
ignition system. In talking with one of the BMW technicians at San Diego BMW,
he stated: as the bikes age, the wiring becomes brittle and more susceptible to
malfunction and/or failure; the technician also stated that it is a common event in
these types of motorcycles.
When it comes to cost effectiveness, the transition from a high -end motorcycle
(BMW) to a more mainstream motorcycle will save money in immediate and long-
term maintenance costs. The current BMW motorcycles are aged; the newest
motorcycle has over 50,000 miles which is high for a police motor unit. The
motorcycles are continuously breaking down and having to go to San Diego
BMW which is a proprietary dealership. Because of the proprietary diagnostic
equipment, only BMW facilities can perform maintenance on these motorcycles,
drastically raising the cost of maintenance. For example, a most recent
diagnostic check of one of the motorcycles cost approximately $300, without
actually performing any maintenance of the bike.
1200 National City Boulevard
National City, CA 91950
(619) 336-4512/Fax (619) 336-4525
CALIFORNIA+
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A recent report on the residual value of these BMW motorcycles, which were
originally grant -funded from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), valued the
motorcycles just over $3,500. A mainstream motorcycle such as Yamaha, Honda
or Kawasaki provides service options and competitive maintenance schedules
between multiple dealerships within the South Bay area (South Bay Motorcycle
Center, National City Motorcycle, Fun Bike Center, San Diego House of
Motorcycles, Lemon Grove Motorcycles, etc.).
The National City Police Department Traffic Division is committed to representing
the Department and City in a professional and positive manner. A strong,
polished image portrays competency and professionalism while a tattered, worn
and broken-down image diminishes confidence, within the law enforcement
profession and from the public's viewpoint. During the last operation with outside
agencies, one of the motorcycles had to be hooked up to a tow truck in front of
allied agencies and the public. This was an embarrassment to the officer, our
Department, and the City.
Recommendation
It is recommended the Department be authorized to purchase four motorcycles at
a cost not to exceed $125,000 using Developmental Impact Fees for this
purpose.
Please call me at 619-336.4507 with any questions.
MANUEL RODRIGUEZ
3
1200 National City Boulevard
National City, CA 91950
(619) 336-4512/Fax (619) 336-4525