Title
Consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority Senate Bill 224 Grant Program.
Body
The proposed City Council resolution would authorize submission of an application to the Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority’s 2024-25 Catalytic Converter Grant program to fund equipment to support the enforcement of vehicle-related crimes. The Police Department is seeking a $417,450 program to purchase additional automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from Flock Safety, vehicle GPS trackers, and the initial elements of a drone-as-first-responder program. The grant requires $83,490 in matching funds, to come from the City’s Law Enforcement Fund.
These elements are sought as part of a new regional vehicle crime initiative begun earlier this year by the Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. The Department is partnering with multiple, neighboring agencies to address the issues of vehicle burglary, catalytic converter thefts, vehicle thefts, and other vehicle-related crime. Participating in this initiative are the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville, Hutto, Buda, and Jarrell.
This application is for a one-year grant, and the Flock Safety cameras are subject to annual charges. The Department's understanding is that if this application funded, the annual program is likely to be renewed. In the event that funding ends, the Department’s intent is to end the recurring charges associated with the Flock program. We would seek continuation of the DFR program in the normal budget process as much of the costs funded here are initial costs.
Cost: $417,450.00 ($83,490.00 in City matching funds)
Source of Funds: Law Enforcement Fund