Keeping Montecito Safe – Sheriff Satellite Office, Motorola LPR
The Montecito Association April 2025 meeting was held on Tuesday, April 8.
MA President Doug Black with 1st VP Leslie Lundgren called the meeting to order, alongside Executive Director Houghton Hyatt. Board members were present in person and via Zoom.
Jillian Wittman of the MA Safety Subcommittee reported on the Sheriff’s Department Montecito satellite office. They are working on a grant from the Montecito Community Foundation (MCF) which will cover the initial startup costs estimated at $30,000. From there, the committee will need to do additional fundraising for rent, utilities, etc. The MCF will report back to the MA Safety Committee on April 17. At this time, there are three viable location options with a year lease being reviewed.
The MA Town Hall Safety meeting is slated for April 22 at 5pm at All Saints-by-the-Sea Fellowship Hall. Presenting will be Director of Security at Birnam Wood, Nicole Landon, Post Alarm Systems, CalCoast Glass, and others. Q&A after panel presentation.
Raul Muñoz and Doug Hilton, representing Motorola Solutions Vigilant LPR and Software, presented their products using video and slides.
Key talking points were:
– Motorola has a larger network than other competitors.
– Motorola cameras are more robust, use high resolution for clear images.
– Software uses advanced algorithms to process data quickly and send to law enforcement, fully customizable.
– The cameras report LPR info, and can help report and prevent theft, arson, traffic accidents, building interiors/exteriors, parking lots, school safety, elderly, etc.
– The system has Real-Time Intelligence Operations to alert first responders, law enforcement, etc. with a consolidated map and info.
– Their LPR captures the rear plates, many cars do not have front plates.
– Residential cameras mostly used are the Solar Powered two battery L6Q models.
– Their cameras have long range infrared for low light/night vision.
– Their L5NextGen cameras read up to 125 feet distance at 150 mph.
– The network used is a cellular trunk system and stored in the cloud.
– Costs include cyber security updates, software updates and maintenance.
– Their cameras are purchased directly not rented.
– Law Enforcement agencies can have more than one type of LPR data, e.g. both FLOCK and Motorola, at the same time on their computer systems.
A Montecito resident posited the key question regarding all LPRs when he asked the Motorola reps, “Does your LPR have the ability to read license plates that have reflective covers, stealth plates, nanofilm coatings, and anti-radar stickers, which work by blocking or distorting infrared light?
Motorola said, “No.”
For our readers: California Vehicle Code (CVC) § 5201 specifically prohibits any casing, placard, or covering that impairs or obstructs the recognition of a license plate, including by electronic devices.
Questions from the Board addressed Motorola in comparison to FLOCK costs, set up, and reliability – along with which provider has the best connections to adjoining communities and police departments.
The Motorola reps defended their products as superior and the longest in the business.
They restated that FLOCK is the newest LPR system on the block implying that it lacked expertise/experience. They also reiterated that their systems are working seamlessly from Glendale, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Burbank, and Los Angeles Police, Law Enforcement, and Fire Depts.
As for costs, they skirted the issue saying they would need to do a physical walk through with the interested parties to the specific locations in Montecito to determine the best solutions and give a quote then. This left the data point missing for many at the meeting and established a need to set up more appointments with Motorola around the town. The confusion on the comparison to FLOCK pricing was left to the Board to figure out.
Aida Thau representing SBC 1st District Supervisor Roy Lee’s office, reported that Lee continues to work with the stakeholders on the Hot Springs Road and Trail Head, enforce red flag closures, and the Cold Spring Bridge is scheduled to reopen next week with a celebration.
MA routine agenda items discussed at this meeting can be found on their website.
411:www.montecitoassociation.org
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