At the City Council meeting on the evening of Tuesday, May 28, Action Item 1 (A1) reintroduced the approval of a “three-year contract with Starchase to provide pursuit mitigation technology in an amount not to exceed $143,689.”
Back in April, when this was first raised before the council, a presentation by CCPD chief Jason Sims stated that there was a 40 percent increase in vehicle pursuits in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Starchase’s Pursuit Mitigation Technology works by deploying a foam GPS tracker which attaches to the car they are pursuing.
“Data shows that offenders who flee, typically return to normal driving patterns shortly after the deployment of Star Chase,” stated the Chief. “[This] allows for proper allocation of resources in a controlled environment.”
This time, Council Members Goran Eriksson and Albert Vera, and Vice Mayor Dan O’Brien, essentially agreed this was a no-brainer. However, Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Council Member Freddy Puza raised the same concerns that they did in April, with McMorrin stating that the “police doesn’t have the monopoly on safety.”
Still, the motion carried 3-2.
The other hot topic at the meeting was Action Item 3 (A3), relating to approving the conceptual plans for the Better Overland & Safer Fox Hills Project.
Many members of the public spoke out about that, with some raising concerns that it echoes Move Culver City, and others lauding the focus on safety. Ultimately, it passed 4-0 with Eriksson abstaining.
Public Hearing 1 (PH1) called on the Council to, “(1) Conduct a Public Hearing Pursuant to the Requirements of Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as Amended; (2) Adoption of a Resolution to Approve the Issuance of Revenue Bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority to Assist in the Financing or Refinancing of the Turning Point School located in Culver City, California; and (3) Approval the Deposit of Approximately $7,500 in Issuance Fees to the General Fund.”
That passed unanimously. Appeals were then denied in PH2 and PH3 against approval of wireless encroachment permits to Crown Castle in two locations – 604 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City and 11622 Port Road, Culver City. Unfortunately, the council is bound by Federal Government laws and Crown Castle has abided by all appropriate rules. Motions to deny the appeals passed unanimously.