The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department (HPD) is requesting approval of an ordinance authorizing the submission of an electronic grant application and the acceptance of funding from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA), under the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, in support of the FY26 SB 224 Catalytic Converter Grant. The grant amount is $1,024,642.00, with a required cash match of $235,032.00. The Grantor will allow the City to use direct operating expenses, salaries, travel and equipment to satisfy the Cash Match requirement. If approved, this will mark the third consecutive year HPD has received this funding, which supports efforts to reduce catalytic converter thefts in Houston and surrounding areas. The grant period is from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026.
The Houston Catalytic Converter Crimes Task Force (HCCCTF3) is a multi-division initiative within HPD. Personnel from the Auto Theft Division, the Property and Financial Crimes Division – Precious Metals Theft Unit, and various patrol divisions will collaborate to investigate and prevent catalytic converter thefts in Houston, Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. The Auto Theft Division will focus on the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles, while the Precious Metals Theft Unit will investigate the flow of stolen converters into the metal recycling stream. Grant funds will support overtime, travel, equipment, and supplies necessary to carry out these operations.
The Houston Police Department also requests City Council to authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to act as the City’s representative in the application process with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grant funds as awarded, and apply for, accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, to extend the budget period, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all related agreements with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY26 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no fiscal note is required as states in the Financial Policies.
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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J. Noe Diaz, Jr.
Chief of Police