(The Center Square) – Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to expand efforts to target violent repeat offenders in major cities statewide.
Last fall, Abbott directed Texas DPS to create a new Texas Repeat Offender Program (TxROP), a joint task force among state and local law enforcement to target violent repeat offenders in the Houston area, The Center Square reported. Their primary goal is to identify and arrest dangerous repeat offenders, apprehend fugitives and disrupt criminal activity.
The task force includes Texas DPS troopers, special agents, members of the Houston TAG Center, Texas Rangers, Texas DPS’ Department of Homeland Security and criminal investigators and aircraft. The Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, constables and federal law enforcement partners are also participating.
“Houston can be the national model for public safety in America’s largest cities,” Abbott said last October when announcing the new task force. Six months later, their “results have been swift and substantial,” Abbott said in a statement.
As of May 11, task force members have arrested 728 repeat offenders, including 455 high-threat criminals and gang members. Of the 155 known gang members they encountered, key arrests were of Puro Tango Blast, MS-13, Bloods and Crips members.
Of their 225 drug seizures, they seized more than 225,000 lethal doses of fentanyl, 115 pounds of methamphetamine, seven pounds of cocaine, and 415 pounds of marijuana. They’ve also seized 110 weapons, recovered 25 stolen vehicles and made 12 currency seizures, according to DPS data.
“The neighborhoods of Houston are safer with the arrest of the criminals most likely to commit another crime. Similar success must be delivered to communities across the state,” Abbott said.
The task force is now expanding to the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin metropolitan areas.
“As the Texas Department of Public Safety fulfills its mission to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of every Texan, our state’s peace officers confront a revolving door of repeat violent offenders. Targeting these dangerous perpetrators reduces crime, increases safety, and better protects Texans. We will unapologetically back law enforcement, bring dangerous criminals to justice, and keep our communities safe,” Abbott said.
The directive comes after the majority of crimes being committed in Houston are by repeat offenders released on bail by judges, authorities have found. The legislature advanced multiple bail reform measures filed by state Sen. Joan Huffan, R-Houston, and signed into law by Abbott.
They include SB 9, allowing prosecutors to appeal bail decisions and imposing restrictions on judges for setting bail; SB 40, prohibiting public funds from financing nonprofit organizations that post bail for criminals; HB 75 implementing requirements for magistrates and transparency and SJR 3, a constitutional amendment voters passed requiring judges to deny bail to violent offenders, The Center Square reported.
While some judges are denying bail to violent offenders, others are not.
In January, Abbott vowed to “come after” judges and district attorneys who weren’t upholding the law. He’s also working with legislators to create a new statewide prosecutor’s office, The Center Square reported.
