'We are coming for you' | Gov. Abbott announces 'Texas-sized effort' to target repeat violent criminals in Houston area
HOUSTON — Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced a new state and local task force to target repeat violent criminals in Houston and Harris County.
The governor called it a "Texas-sized effort" that will include "swarming" some Houston-area neighborhoods with Texas DPS troopers, DPS special agents, DPS aircraft and Texas Rangers."
"Today, we are putting these criminals on notice: we are coming for you, we’ll target you, arrest and put you behind bars, which is where you belong," Abbott said during an Austin news conference.
Abbott called it in an "all-in" initiative, but the top two local law enforcement officials in Houston and Harris County -- Police Chief Noe Diaz and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez -- weren't at the news conference. Neither were Mayor John Whitmire or County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Three Harris County constables, a Crime Stoppers representative, and Houston Police Officers Union Executive Director Ray Hunt were included.
Abbott said Whitmire was invited but couldn't attend, but sidestepped our question on whether any city or county officials requested this initiative.
The governor also acknowledged that crime in this area has already been trending downward.
“The City of Houston and Harris County have already reduced crime rates. Violent crime is down about 20% compared to last year, murders are also down, but citizens in this area remain concerned about crime, especially violent crime," Abbott said.
He said the state is already attacking the issue of violent crimes by repeat offenders with new laws making it tougher to release dangerous criminals on bail. In November, Texans will vote on a constitutional amendment to limit when a person can be released on bail.
"No doubt, the release of dangerous criminals by judges in Harris County is a contributing factor, at a minimum, maybe more than that," Abbott said.
He cited the April 2025 case of Austin Collette, who was charged with a drug-related murder in 2019 but posted multiple bonds even after allegedly violating bond conditions. He pleaded guilty to the murder last December, but Judge Hilary Unger authorized Collette’s release on bond while awaiting sentencing.
Four months later, Collette, 26, shot and killed his 21-year-old girlfriend in downtown Houston before fatally shooting himself.
Texas DPS Director Martin Freeman mentioned other recent crimes by repeat offenders, including a jugging case in Spring last month, where the suspect had 17 prior arrests.
"After 17 arrests in violent crimes, you don't go get a job and start going to church on Sunday," Freeman said. "They're thugs. We're going to target them and make sure they're not reoffending."
"In Houston, 55% of violent crimes are committed by individuals with criminal pasts," Sydney Zuiker with Crime Stoppers of Houston pointed out. "That's not just a statistic. It represents lives lost, families changed forever, and communities left to pick up the pieces."
Abbott said the goal is to make Houston a model for public safety in America's largest cities.
"... Every Houstonian deserves to be able to walk the streets, take their kids to school, open their businesses, go shopping or dining, all without fear," Abbott said.
He said there are plans to launch similar initiatives in other Texas cities.
When asked if this effort is related to President Trump's decision to send the National Guard to cities, including Memphis and Chicago, to combat crime, Abbott said the president knows Texas is already committed to making cities safer and there's been no threat to send troops here.
We asked Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare about the plan on Thursday.
"Look, we weren't invited or collaborated on this initiative. But I am in favor of any way that we can apprehend and hold accountable violent offenders. It is the primary thrust of my administration," Teare said. "We have been more successful and put more people in longer sentences this year than we have in any number of years going back."
No comments:
Post a Comment