Photo by Danny Fulgencio
Two items were passed in the Dallas City Council meeting this morning regarding funding for DPD to combat car and catalytic converter theft.
Item 8 on the agenda authorized the acceptance of a grant from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) for the FY 2025 Dallas Auto Theft Taskforce Grant in the amount of $1,582,029.00 to provide a specialized proactive automobile theft program for the period September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025.
Item 10 authorized the application for and acceptance of a grant from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) for the FY25 SB224 Catalytic Converter Grant in the amount of $1,295,074.00 to provide a specialized proactive automobile theft program for the period September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025.
“Auto thefts are a major issue across the city including in North Oak Cliff, and Dallas saw an uptick in these crimes after DPD shifted officers in order to facilitate the successful violent crime reduction plan,” said Council Member Chad West. “The additional funding and renewed focus on auto thefts thanks to this grant is very much welcome, and the funds will be put to good use by our men and women in blue.”
Accomplishments of the MVCPA Task Force for FY 24 include 127 auto theft-related arrests made, 28 illegal chop shops dismantled, 81 auto theft-related cases filed, 1,346 VIN inspections conducted and 486 stolen vehicles recovered.
More information on the two items passed is below:
Agenda Item 8: MVCPA Grant Renewal
Grant Award Amount: $1,582,029
Key Highlights for FY24:
- Overtime Exception: The MVCPA granted an exception, allowing us to utilize additional units and pay their overtime to support efforts against auto theft and related crimes ($252,000).
- Staff Salaries: The grant fully funds the salaries of eight police officers and one administrative assistant, ensuring the Task Force remains adequately staffed ($1,283,029).
- Fleet and Maintenance Costs: The MVCPA covers our fleet rental costs and allocates funds for vehicle maintenance ($46,000).
- Training and Travel: Funding has been secured for training and travel, including co-hosting the upcoming training conference in July 2025 ($1,000).
- Community Engagement: We continue to engage the public through crime watch meetings and Citizen Patrol Academies, sharing auto theft prevention strategies.
Agenda Item 10: MVCPA Senate Bill 224 Catalytic Converter Grant
Grant Award Amount: $1,295,074
Key Highlights:
- Additional Officer: The grant funds the salary of one additional officer assigned to the Auto Theft Task Force ($133,126).
- Overtime Exception: An additional $252,000 is allocated for overtime, with an approved exception allowing other units to assist with operations and enforcement efforts.
- Equipment: Funds have been provided for essential equipment, including a metal laser engraver for marking catalytic converters and other parts ($134,848).
- License Plate Reader Data: The grant includes funding for commercial License Plate Reader (LPR) data (Insight) to support operations across the entire department ($62,500).
- Flock Cameras Subscription: The grant covers the continuation of license subscriptions for 200 flock cameras that were purchased under the FY24 Catalytic Converter grant allocation ($667,000).
- Fleet Maintenance: Funding is allocated for fleet maintenance ($10,000).
- Fleet Purchase: The grant provides for new fleet vehicle purchases ($33,600).
- Travel: Funding has been provided to cover travel for MVCPA Board Meetings ($2,000).
