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Council authorizes agreements to install grant‑funded license‑plate readers on TxDOT right of way
Summary
The council approved an agreement allowing the police department to install grant‑funded automated license‑plate readers on TxDOT right of way inside Midlothian to expand coverage for stolen‑vehicle and warrant alerts.
The Midlothian City Council on Oct. 28 approved a resolution authorizing the police department and city manager to enter into multiple‑use agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation to place automated license‑plate‑reader cameras on TxDOT right of way within city limits.
Commander Hart said the agreement would allow placement of 15 grant‑funded ALPR units (seven to be sited on TxDOT right of way) to expand coverage on major approaches and corridors. The ALPR cameras capture still images of vehicle rear plates, use AI to read plate characters and check them in real time against databases for stolen vehicles, felony warrants, amber/silver/clear alerts and other hotlists. In time‑sensitive cases the system generates notifications for officers to respond; in investigative work staff can run searches by time and location to produce leads.
Hart said the grant requires a 20 percent local match and is awarded annually; other ALPR units in the city were funded through forfeiture funds. He said staff plans to pursue grant opportunities for the program in future cycles and that each individual camera still requires a separate application and site approval. Council approved the resolution 6–0.
Commander Hart said ALPR reads are retained for 30 days for investigative use unless queried and exported under case protocols.
