Bellemead approves application for MVCPA grant to fund license-plate readers and cameras

The Bellemead City Council authorized the city manager to apply for a fiscal-year 2026 Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority catalytic-converter grant intended to fund license-plate readers (LPR) and related equipment to assist police investigations.

Chief of Police (presenter) described the grant as an 80/20 program where the city covers 20 percent of the equipment cost. The chief said the first-year city share would be roughly $1,700, with subsequent annual costs around $1,200. He reported that Walmart has agreed to contribute $1,000 per year toward the local share for the camera(s) placed near Walmart, leaving the city responsible for a much smaller net cost (roughly $700 first year and about $200 per year thereafter). The equipment would be configured to alert police when plates tied to investigations (stolen vehicles, repeat offenders, catalytic-converter theft suspects) pass LPR cameras; staff noted interoperability with neighboring jurisdictions that also deploy LPR systems.

Councilmember questions confirmed that the previously approved mobile trailer acquisition for speed monitoring is funded separately and that the grant would pay for cameras and related LPR hardware to be used in a trailer or fixed locations. Council voted to approve the resolution authorizing application and execution of documents (recorded as RS2025-019 in staff notes); the roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous.