A task force focused on addressing violent crime, which was established in Houston seven months ago, is set to expand its efforts to additional major cities across Texas.
On Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety to promptly extend the task force’s operations to the Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas-Fort Worth regions. This initiative aims to collaborate with local and federal agencies to identify and apprehend individuals who repeatedly commit violent crimes.
<p“Extensive research and practical experience in criminal justice reveal that a significant portion of violent crime is perpetrated by repeat offenders,” Abbott stated in a letter addressed to DPS Director Freeman Martin.
The Houston initiative has resulted in the arrest of 728 repeat offenders, with 455 classified as high threats, along with over 300 seizures of drugs and weapons, according to the governor’s correspondence.
Authorities in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio have been contacted for their insights regarding this expansion.
Recent data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association indicates that these cities, including Houston, experienced a decrease in violent crime during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same timeframe last year. The survey assessed four crime categories: homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
When Abbott initiated the task force in October, he mentioned that its activities would eventually reach other areas of the state, although he did not specify which cities at that time. His longstanding relationship with Houston officials was cited as a primary reason for launching the unit there.
“I believed this was an ideal location to begin, allowing us to learn and adjust our strategies based on our findings here before implementing them in other regions of the state,” he remarked in October.
The governor also attributed the state’s bail system to the increase in crime rates, advocating for a legislative package that established stricter bail requirements, which he signed into law last year.
