Eagle Pass council approves Flock Safety agreement using Senate grant funding

The Eagle Pass City Council approved an agreement Oct. 1 for the police department’s Auto Theft Task Force to use Flock Safety’s video and alert platform, staff said, funded initially by a Senate Bill 224 catalytic-converter grant.

Grama Fuentes, who prepared the grant application, told the council the system “allows our patrol officers to conduct a more efficient incident management program” and provides real-time alerts, a video management program and tools for crime analysts. Fuentes also said the technology can assist with gunshot detection and triangulation in certain investigations.

Staff reported the grant will cover the first-year cost — “a hundred and 79,000 for the first year with no cash match” — and that recurring fees for 2025 will require a 20% cash match paid from the city budget. Fuentes said the city met with finance and planned budget adjustments if needed to accommodate that match. City staff also said the purchase was processed as a sole-source procurement through the finance department.

Mayor Pro Tem Davis moved to approve the agreement, Councilwoman Cruz seconded, and the motion passed unanimously as recorded in the meeting transcript (nine ayes). After the vote, several council members praised the department’s initiative. One council member said the move reflects “what you’re doing” for community safety and offered congratulations to staff.

The council’s action authorizes the agreement and the city’s acceptance of grant funding; council members noted that continued funding after the grant period will depend on future budget decisions and whether the Senate Bill remains in effect.

What happens next: the agreement was approved and staff will proceed with implementation and budget planning for anticipated recurring costs.