Gov. Abbott expands repeat offender task force to Austin, other Texas cities

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to expand its repeat offender task force to Austin, San Antonio and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The task force combines local, state and federal law enforcement, including DPS troopers and special agents.

Abbott launched the initiative in October 2025, initially targeting repeat violent offenders in Houston and Harris County.

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Since then, the governor’s office says the task force has arrested 728 repeat offenders, including 455 identified as “high-threat.”

“Targeting these dangerous perpetrators reduces crime, increases safety, and better protects Texans,” Abbott said in a statement. “We will unapologetically back law enforcement, bring dangerous criminals to justice, and keep our communities safe.”