texas

Abbott: New Texas Anti-Gang Effort Separate from Immigration

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says his new effort to reduce Central American gang violence in Houston won't be affected by what local police say is rising fear among Latinos of being detained by immigration authorities.

Abbott on Monday announced that he would direct state grant money and additional Texas Rangers law enforcement resources to monitor and solve gang crimes in Harris County. He singled out MS-13, a gang linked to drug trafficking and violence in the U.S. and Latin America.

“This recent wave of senseless violence cannot continue,” said Abbott. “Government’s foremost responsibility is to keep our citizens safe and secure. Texas will take action and use all lawful means to put an end to this lawlessness.”

Houston police said last week that the percentages of Hispanics reporting rape and violent crimes have sharply fallen this year.

But Abbott said authorities won't "be relying upon a tip of some person out there who may be here illegally."

The Republican is a strong supporter of tougher immigration laws.

To help combat this wave of gang-related violence, Abbott is immediately directing state resources to a violent crime reduction operation in Harris County.

  • Establish a Tactical Operations Center in Houston to enhance and coordinate operations around the clock.
  • Provide $500,000 in new funding from the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division to increase Texas Anti-Gang Center resources in the Houston area.
  • Deploy additional Texas Rangers and DPS Special Agents to support local law enforcement.
  • Deploy added technology, including air assets and patrol unit tracking, to enhance timely collection and analysis of intelligence
Copyright AP - Associated Press
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