ORDINANCE approving and authorizing submission of application for grant assistance to the TEXAS AUTOMOBILE BURGLARY & THEFT PREVENTION AUTHORITY for the Houston Auto Crimes Task Force Grant/25; declaring the City’s eligibility for such grant; authorizing the Chief of the Houston Police Department to act as the City’s representative in the application process, to accept such grant funds, if awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the program - $2,286,640 - General and Grant Funds

The Houston Police Department (HPD) is requesting an ordinance be approved authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funding to the Texas Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) in support of the Houston Auto Crime Task Force.  The grant period is from September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017.  HPD is the coordinating agency for this grant and works in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Police Department (METRO PD).  If approved, this will be the 25^th year of HPD receiving grant funding for its ABTPA program, which has been instrumental in reducing the auto theft rate in Houston and the surrounding areas.

As the lead agency, HPD has successfully fostered an increased level of cooperation with other police agencies. These agencies have provided personnel that assist in the apprehension and prosecution of suspected buyers and sellers of stolen motor vehicles and automotive parts.   

The in-kind contribution of $313,625 consists of direct expenses such as fuel and utilities; the cash match of $1,201,466 is salaries and fringe benefits.  Both the in-kind and cash match were included in the HPD FY2016 General Fund budget; thus, no additional allocation is required.