Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday he is directing the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to expand the Texas Repeat Offender Task Force into the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin metropolitan areas.

The initiative, which launched in the Houston area in October 2025, is a joint operation between federal, state, and local law enforcement designed to target and arrest violent perpetrators who frequently reoffend.

“I am directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to immediately expand the Texas Repeat Offender Task Force to the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin metropolitan areas,” Abbott said in a statement. “Targeting these dangerous perpetrators reduces crime, increases safety, and better protects Texans.”

Proven Results in Houston

Since its inception, the task force has led to the arrest of 728 repeat offenders. Of those, 455 were identified as high-threat offenders, according to Governor Abbott.

State data shows the operation has also:

Encountered 155 known gang members, including members of Puro Tango Blast, MS-13, the Bloods, and the Crips.

Seized more than 225,000 lethal doses of fentanyl.

Confiscated 115 pounds of methamphetamine and 110 weapons.

Recovered 25 stolen vehicles.

Cracking the “Revolving Door”

In a letter to DPS, Abbott noted that many peace officers face a “revolving door” where criminals are released only to threaten innocent lives again. He cited criminal justice research suggesting that the majority of violent crime is committed by repeat offenders.

“Decades of criminal justice research and operational experience demonstrate that most violent crime is committed by repeat offenders. Targeting these dangerous perpetrators reduces crime, increases safety, and better protects Texans” Abbott wrote.

Legislative Support

The expansion follows a suite of bail reform laws signed by Abbott last year aimed at keeping violent offenders behind bars. These laws include Senate Bill 9, which allows prosecutors to appeal bail decisions in heinous cases, and Senate Joint Resolution 5, a constitutional amendment requiring judges to deny bail to defendants who pose a significant threat to public safety.

“We will unapologetically back law enforcement, bring dangerous criminals to justice, and keep our communities safe,” Abbott said.