STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Safe
AGENDA DATE: September 24, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Dallas Police Department
EXECUTIVE: Dominique Artis
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize (1) the application for and acceptance of a grant from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) for the FY2026 SB224 Catalytic Converter Grant (Grant No. 608-26-DPD0000C) in the amount of $1,224,538.00 to provide a specialized proactive automobile theft program for the period September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026; (2) the establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $1,224,538.00 in the MVCPA FY26 SB224 Catalytic Converter Grant Fund; (3) the receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $1,224,538.00 in the MVCPA FY26 SB224 Catalytic Converter Grant Fund; (4) a local cash match in an amount not to exceed $270,076.00; and (5) execution of the grant agreement with MVCPA and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Total not to exceed $1,494,614.00 - Financing: MVCPA FY26 SB224 Catalytic Converter Grant Fund ($1,224,538.00) and General Fund ($270,076.00) (subject to appropriations)
Body
BACKGROUND
The Dallas Police Department has been a MVCPA grantee for more than 20 years. The 88th legislative session enacted Senate Bill 224, which allows MVCPA recipients to apply for supplementary grants to combat vehicle theft offenses, notably catalytic converter thefts. On March 28, 2024, the MVCPA Board awarded the City of Dallas $872,650.00 for overtime, personnel expenses, equipment, and training.
Approval of this item will allow the City to continue to fund a specialized, proactive investigative unit focused on the prevention of automobile theft. If accepted, this grant will fund one uniformed police officer, overtime, a new marked police vehicle, training and fleet expenses, and the operational expenses for 200 flock cameras. The required 20% cash match will be met by utilizing two police officers’ salaries assigned to the unit. This funding is already programmed into the departmental budget.
Besides receiving this supplemental grant, the Auto Theft Task Force will work with the City Attorney’s Office and Department of Code Compliance to identify and demolish illicit crushing yards, which are responsible for numerous auto thefts and the unlawful acquisition of catalytic converters throughout the city. These areas are also significant sources of pollution, contaminating the water supply and land use. This funding will also enable the task force to expand other operations targeting catalytic converters and auto thefts. In which, these operations can include bait cars, surveillance, arresting offenders, and traffic stops on suspects. A portion of these operations will be in our high crime areas outlined by our violent crime task force.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On May 8, 2024, the City Council authorized the acceptance of the Catalytic Converter Grant from the MVCPA to provide specialized proactive automobile theft program for the period September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; and execution of the grant agreement by Resolution No. 24-0676.
On August 14, 2024, the City Council authorized the acceptance of additional funds from the MVCPA for the Catalytic Converter Grant (Grant No. 224-24-DPD0000) for the period of September 1, 2023 through May 22, 2025 by Resolution No. 24-1108.
On October 8, 2024, the City Council authorized the acceptance of the FY25 SB224 Catalytic Converter Grant from the MVCPA to provide specialized proactive automobile theft program for the period September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025; and execution of the grant agreement by Resolution No. 24-1482.
The City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on September 19, 2025.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2025 |
FY 2026 |
Future Years |
|
MVCPA FY26 SB224 Catalytic Converter Grant |
$0.00 |
$1,224,538.00 |
$0.00 |
|
General Fund |
$0.00 |
$ 270,076.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$0.00 |
$1,494,614.00 |
$0.00 |