LBPD use of "Tiger Connect" "[R]eceive an overview of the use of Tiger Connect for messaging and communication; the issue presented currently with the use of the application; present status of its use by the Police Department, and proposed future efforts to determine whether the use of such technologies was consistent with criminal discovery obligations on pending and closed criminal cases."

Public Safety Committee chair Price is an Orange County Deputy District Attorney (prosecutor)

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Public records indicate that in or about mid-2014, LBPD began using the mobile application which automatically deletes messages/communications at an adjustable time period, effectively making them impossible to retrieve. Information on LBPD's use of the message-deleting application was first obtained by The Beachcomber reporter/columnist Steve Downing who worked with the ACLU to pursue public records that confirmed LBPD's use of the application and led to publication of the story (a few hours before The Beachcomber) by Al Jazeera.

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The TigerConnect self-deleting message application is currently marketed for use in the health care industry to lawfully protect the privacy of patient-related communications, but its use by LBPD has raises multiple issues, the full extent of which is only now unfolding. Among other things, defense lawyers may seek certain police communications in defending the accused in criminal cases. In a civil context, the public (and the press) have a right to access some LBPD communications under the CA Public Records Act.

Following publication of the Beachbomber and Al Jazeera stories, the City halted LBPD's use of Tiger Connect and (via the City Attorney's office) announced what it calls an "independent review" of LBPD's use of the TigerConnect. The "independent review" will be headed by an attorney ("of counsel") to the law firm that the City used to challenge statements in ballot arguments submitted in opposition to two Mayor/Council sought Charter Amendments (AAA and DDD) [which resulted in a settlement that reworded some statements in the arguments.]

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A report "on the latest fire technologies for fighting high-rise fires." To LBREPORT.com's knowledge, this is the first time this issue has been specifically agendized for public safety discussion since the Jan. 2012 Council vote that approved a "Downtown Plan" (programmatic EIR) that lets developers avoid individual Environmental Impact review for the highest high rises in LB's history.

At the same time as the City has invited higher high rises, the current Mayor and Council have failed thus far to restore a second fire engine (Engine 101) at Fire Station 1 (Magnolia between Ocean Blvd./Broadway) that the City previously maintained mindful of issues created by downtown high rises and density (when both were lower thgan they are now.)

There are no memos or reports accompanying either of the items as of dawn Oct. 8.

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9 at 3:30 p.m.

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