Title
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing the Police Department to submit a grant application to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, to seek funding through the Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Grant Program to benefit the League City Police Department's Drone as First Responder ("DFR") Program; and authorizing the acceptance of such grant if awarded (Chief of Police)
Background:
Approval of this item will allow the League City Police Department to seek grant funding from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority. The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) seeks to enhance local law enforcement efforts to investigate motor vehicle related crimes. This grant is designed to: “provide financial assistance to support law enforcement agencies for economic motor vehicle theft, including, but not limited to, theft of a catalytic converter attached to a motor vehicle, and fraud-related motor vehicle crime enforcement teams”.
Advancing technology is being implemented by law enforcement agencies across the country to combat crime. The MVCPA has recognized the value in using new technology to deter and prosecute motor vehicle related offenses. Texas law enforcement agencies are encouraged to apply for grant funding that will “incorporate automatic license plate reader programs, surveillance equipment, and other uses of technology to increase the number of stolen catalytic converters recovered and the number of persons arrested for catalytic converter crimes”.
The DFR program will cost approximately $150,000 per year. The MVCPA may reimburse up to 80% of this expenditure, requiring the City to provide an approximate 20% cash match, or $30,000 annually. The FY2027 grant cycle is a one-year funding cycle beginning September 1, 2026, and ending August 31, 2027.
If awarded, grant funding will be used to initiate a Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program within the League City Police Department. The program is designed to deploy drones to incident scenes ahead of responding officers, providing real-time intelligence, situational awareness, and suspect tracking capabilities. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce response times compared to traditional patrol methods, allowing officers to assess active scenes more quickly and, in some cases, observe suspects prior to their departure. By enhancing early-stage visibility, the program aims to improve suspect identification and increase the likelihood of successful apprehension. As this is an emerging strategy in law enforcement, the Department intends to utilize grant funding to evaluate the program’s effectiveness, operational value, and long-term viability.
The City may reapply for this grant annually, contingent upon continued availability. Each year the grant is awarded, the City would be required to provide an approximate $30,000 local match. If the grant is not awarded in future years, the City would need to either fully fund the Drone as First Responder (DFR) program or consider suspending the program.
The program will be reevaluated annually based on the availability of grant funding, as well as the overall viability and effectiveness of the DFR program.
The grant application must be submitted on or before 5:00 p.m. on May 8, 2025. This resolution is required prior to the MVCPA awarding grant funds.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Grant Pre-Approval Form
3. Grant Announcement
CONTRACT ORIGINATION:
FUNDING
{X} If approved, anticipated expenses will be included in the FY2027 budget, along with grant reimbursements projected as revenue in FY2027.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} NOT APPLICABLE