Crime Control Prevention District

Law Enforcement Technology

Objective

Equip the Baytown Police Department with advanced technologies to enhance operational effectiveness, accountability, and public trust. This includes the deployment and integration of AXON body-worn and in-car camera systems to support transparency and evidence collection, as well as the operations of a dedicated Digital Forensics Unit. This unit leverages specialized tools such as Cellebrite, GrayKey, and GeoTime to extract, analyze, and visualize digital data in support of criminal investigations and prosecutorial collaboration.

This priority aligns with Pillars 1, 2, and 3 of the 21st Century Policing report, emphasizing trust, oversight, and appropriate technology use. It also reflects the BPD Strategic Plan directive on Accountability & Transparency, supporting body-worn camera use, digital forensics, and data sharing to enhance public trust and prosecutorial collaboration.

FY26 Budget Investments:

• AXON Evidence Platform: $576,477 (body-worn and in-car cameras, TASERs, and digital storage)
• FLOCK Safety LPR System: $184,000 (license plate recognition technology)
• Vigilant Technologies: $27,050 (license plate recognition and technology)
• Cellebrite Suite: $58,000 (digital forensics tools for mobile devices)
• GrayKey: $15,600 (device unlocking and analysis)
• GeoTime Desktop: $2,500 (communications mapping)
• AFIS Upgrade (MORPHOTRAK): $45,808 (automated fingerprint identification systems)
• CopLogic (LexisNexis): $9,500 (investigative data analytics)
• CrimeTracer (Versaterm): $50,134 (investigative data analytics and sharing)

Outcomes & Impact:

• Increased solvability of digital crimes through more timely and accurate digital evidence collection
• Enhanced officer transparency and accountability through widespread deployment and consistent use of body-worn and in-car cameras
• Strengthened public trust by capturing auditable, real-time interactions during officer-citizen engagements
• Greater prosecutorial efficiency via streamlined digital evidence sharing platforms like Evidence.com
• Improved investigative capacity through tools that support real-time vehicle tracking, mobile device forensics, and advanced data visualization
• Enhanced capabilities of the Digital Forensics Unit to support criminal investigations through rapid extraction and interpretation of digital evidence
• Improved ability to identify, analyze, and map communication patterns, suspect movements, and data timelines

Performance Measures:

• Number of cases supported or solved using digital evidence
• Uptime and utilization rates for body-worn and in-car camera systems
• Volume and accessibility of digital evidence shared with the District Attorney’s Office
• LPR system alerts leading to actionable law enforcement activity
• Reduction in internal complaints or use-of-force incidents attributable to BWC review
• Compliance audit results for digital data handling and privacy standards
• Number of forensic examinations completed by the Digital Forensics Unit
• Turnaround time for forensic analysis requests

Rental Vehicle Program

Objective

Maintain operational readiness with fleet vehicle support for specialized police units.

This initiative supports Pillar 6 of the 21st Century Policing report by improving officer safety and operational readiness through flexible fleet support. It also aligns with the BPD directive for Community-Oriented Policing by ensuring investigators can remain engaged across the community without interruption due to vehicle limitations.

FY26 Budget Investments:

• 15 Rental Vehicles: $198,000 for the Special Investigations Division

Outcomes & Impact:

• Flexible support for temporary deployments and operational flexibility for special operations
• Reduced maintenance costs and downtime compared to permanent fleet ownership
• Enhanced mobility and adaptability for covert and proactive criminal investigations, especially by the Special Investigations Division
• Improved response time to intelligence-led operations and follow-up investigations
• Ability to scale operations quickly without disrupting core patrol or traffic enforcement functions

Performance Measures:

• Number of proactive investigations supported using rental vehicles
• Maintenance and downtime comparisons between rental and owned vehicles
• Investigator satisfaction and operational readiness ratings through internal surveys regarding program utilization

Motor Vehicle Replacement Program

Objective

Ensure a safe, reliable, and modern vehicle fleet for routine patrol and investigative operations.

This capital investment directly aligns with Pillar 6 of the 21st Century Policing report by prioritizing safe, modern patrol vehicles. It reflects the BPD plan’s goal of enhancing visibility, response times, and officer safety while promoting high-visibility patrol in neighborhoods.

FY26 Budget Investments:

• 12 Marked Patrol Vehicles: $1,191,792
• 5 Unmarked Vehicles (SUVs/Sedans): $260,000

Outcomes & Impact:

• Faster emergency response times due to improved fleet availability and performance
• Improved officer safety through newer vehicle models equipped with the latest protective features and crash-avoidance technologies
• Increased operational efficiency with reduced downtime caused by vehicle breakdowns or maintenance delays
• Lower long-term maintenance and fuel costs due to newer, more efficient fleet models
• Greater visibility and presence in the community, reinforcing deterrence and public confidence in law enforcement services

Performance Measures:

• Average age and mileage of frontline patrol vehicles
• Fleet availability rate (percentage of time vehicles are in service and operational)
• Maintenance costs per vehicle before and after replacement

Public-Facing Voter Summary

The Baytown Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) sales tax has supported a wide range of public safety initiatives since its inception. This funding mechanism allows for dedicated investments in public safety technologies, specialized fleet support, and capital fleet vehicle replacement separate from the City’s general fund. The District operates under a performance-based framework, with measurable outcomes and annual reporting requirements.

The proposed renewal in November 2025 outlines continued funding for:

• Law Enforcement Technology, including body-worn and in-car cameras, digital evidence management platforms, and mobile forensic tools
• Fleet Vehicle Modernization and Readiness, through replacement of aging high-mileage marked and unmarked vehicles as well as specialized fleet vehicle support for specialized operations and investigations

Baytown CCPD funds are directed toward strategies intended to improve public safety, officer readiness, investigative capacity, and response efficiency. 

The Baytown CCPD is funded through a voter-approved 1/8th cent sales tax, which functions as a consumption-based revenue source. This model distributes funding responsibility more broadly, capturing revenue from both residents and non-residents who make purchases within the city. It reduces reliance on property taxes while allowing for dedicated, transparent investment in public safety. Because our CCPD funding is restricted in use and subject to renewal by voters, it allows for long-term planning while ensuring public oversight.

This summary is intended to inform voters of how CCPD resources are planned for use in the coming years. The decision to continue the sales tax remains a matter of public choice.

Total Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budgetary Figures

• Investigative Technology: $969,069
• Vehicle Equipment Rental: $198,000
• Fleet Vehicle Replacement: $1,451,792
• Elections: $100,000

Total: $2,718,861

What Makes Baytown’s Crime Control and Prevention District Unique?

Baytown’s CCPD plan demonstrates leadership in applying modern strategies and technologies to meet the evolving needs of public safety. This section highlights key innovations that set Baytown apart from peer CCPD programs across Texas:

Dedicated Digital Forensics Unit

Baytown is among the first mid-sized cities in Texas to invest CCPD funds in a standalone Digital Forensics Unit. This unit uses industry-leading tools such as Cellebrite, GrayKey, and GeoTime to:

• Analyze digital evidence from mobile devices
• Map communication and location data
• Accelerate suspect identification

Integration of AXON Ecosystem

Baytown’s comprehensive deployment of AXON body-worn and in-car camera systems enhances transparency and evidence collection. Video evidence is managed through Evidence.com, improving:

• Prosecutor access to digital media
• Officer accountability
• Compliance with civil rights standards

Flexible Fleet Strategy with Rental Vehicles

The Rental Vehicle Program is a novel approach, allowing the department to:

• Rapidly scale investigations without increasing permanent fleet size
• Avoid upfront capital costs
• Reduce long-term maintenance expenses

Phased, Sustainable Vehicle Replacement Plan

Baytown's multi-year approach to vehicle replacement ensures continuity of services and avoids budget shocks. This strategy:

• Keeps frontline units modern and mission-ready
• Enhances officer safety and fuel efficiency
• Spreads costs predictably over time

Performance-Driven Management

Each initiative includes clear, reportable performance metrics. This builds accountability and enables the department to:

• Adjust strategies in real time
• Report success to stakeholders
• Justify funding renewals with measurable results

These innovations reflect Baytown’s commitment to forward-thinking, cost-effective public safety investments.

Alignment Summary with the BPD Strategic Plan and 21st Century Policing

The Baytown Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) Strategic Action Plan for FY2026–2030 supports and advances key principles outlined in both the Baytown Police Department Strategic Plan (2021–2026) and the Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. This section summarizes areas of direct alignment.

Alignment with 21st Century Policing

• Pillar 1: Building Trust and Legitimacy – Use of AXON cameras and transparency tools.
• Pillar 2: Policy and Oversight – Internal audits and measurable program outcomes.
• Pillar 3: Technology and Social Media – Investment in LPRs, forensics, and cloud platforms.
• Pillar 6: Officer Wellness and Safety – Fleet modernization and vehicle safety.

Alignment with Baytown Police Department Strategic Plan (2021–2026)

• Accountability & Transparency – Use of digital evidence and public reporting tools.
• Community-Oriented Police Force – Strategic fleet deployment and patrol readiness.
• Technology Modernization – Advanced investigative tools and scalable infrastructure.

Comparative Analysis of Baytown CCPD Program

Baytown’s CCPD plan was developed with an emphasis on fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and service to the public. A review of CCPD programs across Texas, including those in Deer Park, Fort Worth, Haltom City, Jersey Village, and North Richland Hills provides key points of comparison:

Strategic Innovation and Scope

• Baytown is one of a limited number of CCPD-supported agencies in Texas that has invested in a dedicated Digital Forensics Unit using advanced tools such as Cellebrite, GrayKey, and GeoTime. While some other CCPDs focus on general crime prevention or patrol infrastructure, Baytown's plan incorporates specialized investigative capabilities not widely implemented across peer districts.
• Inclusion of a Rental Vehicle Program is unique to Baytown, providing flexible and cost-effective solutions without permanent fleet expansion.

Fiscal Responsibility and Cost Control

• Rental program reduces long-term maintenance and capital costs.
• Rolling vehicle replacement strategy avoids large single-year spikes in spending and maximizes operational uptime.
• Baytown’s budget is clearly segmented and transparent, a best practice compared to several CCPDs with broad or ambiguous budget line items.

Measurable Impact and Accountability

• Detailed performance metrics are integrated into each strategy, ensuring results can be tracked and evaluated.
• The CCPD Strategic Plan emphasizes a long-term commitment to measurable outcomes and responsible fiscal stewardship. Each funded initiative includes performance metrics that enable ongoing evaluation, ensuring that investments deliver sustained value.
• Baytown’s phased fleet replacement strategy and scalable technology deployments serve as cost-effective models for public safety operations, minimizing long-term operational costs while maximizing service reliability.

Public Safety Outcomes

• Investments in license plate readers (FLOCK) and mobile video (AXON) systems mirror practices in larger cities like Fort Worth.
• Baytown goes further by explicitly tying these investments to outcomes like reduced investigation times and improved case solvability.

Summary

Baytown’s CCPD strategy is notable for:

• Strategic use of funds to meet public safety needs without unnecessary expense
• Clear alignment with modern policing standards
• Emphasis on accountability, innovation, and operational readiness

These qualities distinguish Baytown among peer CCPDs and make a strong case for renewal of the CCPD sales tax in November 2025.