The funding question reaches motorists whose plates the city’s fixed cameras record. The chief said state grant funding had been paused, the vendor had provided a grace period, and a new purchase order would return to council if funding resumed.
The city says its fixed cameras capture license plate images, timestamps and general vehicle descriptions in every council district, with a 30-day data retention policy. That makes the program's funding and privacy safeguards a citywide question for people who drive through New Braunfels.
The Sept. 30 City Council agenda listed the police program as a workshop presentation under file 26-1009. Police Chief Osbaldo Flores presented the program's funding, oversight and results during the special meeting; the verified recording identifies the item as discussion only.
Grant money and city share
The council item lists $2,286,088 in combined grant and matching funds for fiscal years 2024 through 2027, including approximately $132,371 in required city matching funds. The city says the money comes primarily from Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority grants, and that program changes could affect existing or future awards.
The department's written presentation says authorized personnel must document search reasons, and that the program receives monthly internal audits and quarterly independent external audits. These are the safeguards the department described to council.
Privacy questions aired
The chief discussed privacy, tracking, data sharing, misuse, and oversight concerns raised about license plate readers. A resident praised the program's safeguards and asked whether an elected representative directly oversees them.
A speaker raised concerns that license plate readers create a searchable record of people's movements. The police department's council item says the system checks plates against alerts for stolen vehicles, wanted people and Amber or Silver alerts, with staff required to confirm a match before officers act.
The chief recommended continuing the current program if grant funding remains available, strengthening safeguards, and advocating state rules for data access. His stated path would bring a new purchase order to council if the grant resumes; a posted order and any revised camera policy will show the terms city leaders are asked to accept.
Residents can inspect the city's file 26-1009 for its funding figures and stated safeguards, and watch the official meeting recording for the discussion. The earlier workshop preview lays out the other business on the Sept. 30 agenda.