Randall County joins Potter County in Panhandle catalytic-converter grant; cameras to cover 26-county region

Randall County Commissioners Court on May 27 approved an interlocal agreement with Potter County to participate in a Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority grant aimed at combating catalytic-converter thefts and related auto burglaries across the region.

The grant supports the Panhandle Auto Burglary and PEPT unit, a multi-county effort that the county said will serve roughly 26 counties in the upper Panhandle. County staff said the grant will help pay camera leases and provide investigative tools for auto-theft and converter-theft investigations; the equipment list discussed includes 14 fixed cameras and one mobile (flex) camera for investigative deployment.

Sheriff's office and grant staff said two cameras are already installed on county right-of-way (McCormick and Western) and have been used by investigators; 12 additional cameras on state right-of-way are awaiting Texas Department of Transportation approval for installation. County staff reported a matching contribution of $10,100 for the 2025 grant period and said the county budgeted its share for the program.

Grant administrators described catalytic-converter thefts as high-cost crimes (about $3,000 per incident in recovery/replacement costs cited in discussion) and said law-enforcement use of roadside and right-of-way cameras has already helped investigators track stolen vehicles in some cases.

Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the interlocal agreement and participate in the regional grant.