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Council accepts Byrne JAG funds to cover annual subscriptions for five license‑plate cameras
Summary
DeSoto will accept a $12,453 Byrne JAG allocation through Dallas County; after administrative deductions the city’s share is $8,106.90 to fund five Flock license‑plate reader cameras. Council approved the fiscal agency agreement unanimously.
The DeSoto City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 18 to accept a 2024 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) pass‑through provided through Dallas County and the City of Dallas, and authorized the city manager to execute the fiscal‑agency agreement.
The total local allocation is $12,453; after county and administrative deductions (Dallas County $3,735.90; City of Dallas administrative fee $610.20) DeSoto’s net award is $8,106.90. DeSoto Police Chief Joe Costa said the award will fund annual subscriptions and support for five Flock license‑plate reader cameras already placed or deployed around the city.
Chief Costa described the cameras as license‑plate readers that assist investigations by flagging stolen vehicles or vehicles connected to active warrants; he emphasized the equipment does not perform facial recognition. He said the cameras are movable, that existing rollouts target corridors with higher vehicle‑related crime and that staff conducts public town‑hall outreach where requested. The chief said annual subscription and service fees for a Flock camera are roughly $2,500 per camera, and the department uses grants and recurring JAG awards to offset those recurring costs.
During council discussion, members asked about community equity and placement strategy. Chief Costa said placement decisions are data driven, based on crime patterns and the city’s stolen‑vehicle and burglary map, and that cameras are re‑deployable as trends change. Costa also said he regularly raises the subject in town halls to explain capability and limits of the technology.
The resolution to accept the JAG funds and allocate the net $8,106.90 to the annual Flock subscription passed unanimously; staff said the award will be executed and the subscription paid from the grant allocation.
