Task Force Targeting Repeat Violent Offenders Expands to North Texas
What to know
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says state trooper presence in North Texas will increase as part of an expanded DPS “repeat offender” task force targeting violent offenders.
- The initiative, already launched in Houston, is being extended to Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio, working alongside local and federal agencies, though operational details remain unclear.
- Abbott also promoted a proposal to create a statewide prosecutor’s office to intervene in cases where he believes local district attorneys are not aggressively pursuing violent crime.
ARLINGTON, TX—Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that the presence of state troopers in North Texas will grow with expansion of a "repeat offender" task force.
"There will be an increased surge of DPS troopers to make sure that we are doubling down on getting these violent repeat offenders off the streets," Abbott said.
Earlier this month, Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to expand the initiative into Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin, deploying what he called "intelligence-driven operations" focused on repeat violent offenders.
Abbott launched the Houston task force months after signing a package of bail reform laws that he said would help keep violent repeat offenders behind bars.
He has described the initiative as a partnership between DPS and local and federal law enforcement agencies. Dallas police and U.S. marshals have said the DPS task force would build on repeat-offender work already underway in North Texas.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux has said he supports Abbott's directive.
Exact details of how the DPS effort will fit into existing operations in D-FW remain unclear.
Abbott delivered his remarks in a news conference in Arlington, where he promoted his public safety plan for the next legislative session as part of his reelection campaign. The Republican his seeking a fourth term.
He also pushed for creating a statewide prosecutor's office, a proposal aimed at district attorneys he says are not aggressively prosecuting violent crime.
"I realize we got 254 counties in the state of Texas. I would bet about 250 of them have DAs that are doing a good job," Abbott said.
Under Abbott's plan, the office would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Asked about the hypothetical office's budget, Abbott said the details have yet to be worked out with the state Legislature.
"But conceivably we're going to need sufficient resources to step in," he said.
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