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County approves expansion of START crime‑reporting app for other California public entities
Summary
The board approved an agreement enabling the Stockton Chamber’s START program and app to be offered on a subscription basis to other California public entities. The county will not be charged while the expansion agreement is in place; the chamber will provide accounting after the first full year.
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Aug. 26 to authorize an agreement allowing the START program — a retailer and community reporting app developed with the Stockton Chamber of Commerce and local law enforcement — to be offered to other California public entities on a subscription basis.
Assistant County Administrator Brenda Kiley told the board the proposal sets a base subscription fee of $120,000 per year and an additional $10,000 for each 100,000 residents in excess of the base, with an initial term through Dec. 31, 2027 and two optional one‑year extensions. The Chamber of Commerce will provide an accounting of revenues and expenditures after the first full year; any excess revenue proposed for reinvestment would require county administrator approval.
Frank Farrell, chief policy officer for the Stockton Chamber, said several counties have expressed interest. The program began in 2024 with district supervisorial seed funds and subsequent reallocation of grant funds to build the app and a security camera grant for small businesses. Kiley reviewed earlier board actions that funded the program and noted the START project has received multiple awards, including an Anti‑Crime Award from Californians Against Retail and Residential Theft and statewide recognition.
Supervisor Steve Rickman asked whether the subscription revenues would be audited and whether camera grants remain available; county staff said an accounting requirement is built into the agreement and that remaining camera grants continue to be distributed. County Counsel noted some of the initial funding source limitations (including ARPA deadlines) and cautioned that reimbursement of startup costs would require contract changes and potentially a delay.
Why it matters: START provides a tool for businesses and residents to report retail theft, illegal dumping, human trafficking and other community problems directly via the app to participating agencies. Expanding the program can spread costs across subscribing jurisdictions and increase the pool of participating businesses and cameras.
What the board decided: The board approved the expansion agreement 5-0; the county will not be charged while the agreement is in effect for the county. Supervisor commentary and staff notes recommended monitoring the contractor accounting after the first year to verify expenditures and any proposed reinvestment.
