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Cedar Hill seeks grant to expand license-plate readers and add a 'drone as first responder'
Summary
The city discussed a continuation grant to fund automatic license-plate readers (33 cameras citywide, 11 city-funded) and to add a rooftop 'drone as first responder' that would self-dispatch to certain 911 calls; the grant typically covers 80% of costs and the city would match 20%.
Eli Reyes, the city’s Director of Public Safety, briefed the council on a continuation grant that would fund automatic license-plate readers (ALPRs), tower installations and a proposed "drone as first responder." Reyes said the department currently operates 33 ALPR cameras across the city, with the city directly funding 11 and grant support for several others.
"What the drone of first responder program is, is actually a drone that would be located on the top of this building that would self-dispatch when we receive certain types of 911 calls," Reyes said, describing an autonomous launch capability intended to shorten response times. Reyes estimated response time from a rooftop drone of approximately two minutes and said several neighboring jurisdictions already use similar systems.
Reyes described the grant structure and contracting: many pieces of the program are leased or under multi-year pricing arrangements; the grant commonly pays about 80% of program costs and the city budget covers the remaining 20%. Council members asked whether towers and other equipment were leased; Reyes confirmed pricing protections under a five-year pricing arrangement while grant contracts are administered annually, and noted the city has the option to opt out if grant funding is not awarded.
Manager and council members praised the department’s grant work and said the program would expand investigative and search tools. No formal action or award of the grant occurred during the briefing; the items were listed on the consent agenda for future consideration.
