The Alamo has undergone a changing of the guard as Texas Department of Public Safety officers took over the duties of the Alamo Rangers, a private security force created 50 years ago.
The change follows the approval of Senate Bill 3059, which passed in June. According to a Senate Committee report, the law enacts “the transfer of power and duties from the General Land Office to the commission as provided by this Act,” called the Alamo Commission.
The governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker are in charge of this newly created initiative, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
On Thursday, the nonprofit Alamo Trust confirmed the guard switch to the Express-News after whispers of the Rangers’ alleged dismissal Wednesday.
Dawn Buckingham, Texas land commissioner, also told the Express-News that Senate Bill 1 went into effect on Sept. 1 and handed the Alamo’s law enforcement operations over to DPS officers.
“This effectively ended the Alamo Rangers’ private security duties; however, they were given the opportunity to apply to DPS to continue their service to the Alamo,” Buckingham said in a statement to the Express-News. “I have full confidence that Texas DPS will protect Texas’ most visited and valued site with utmost honor and dignity.”