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Governor Abbott deploys DPS resources to Houston to combat violent crime, rise in road rage shootings

Governor Greg Abbott
Posted at 12:31 PM, Dec 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-09 13:31:53-05

AUSTIN, TX — Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to provide support to the Houston Police Department (HPD) in their efforts to address an alarming rise in road rage-related shootings in the city of Houston.

DPS will deploy marked and unmarked patrol units to patrol hot spots identified by HPD.

Furthermore, Governor Abbott directed DPS to deploy multiple resources to support HPD and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crime Prevention operations, including DPS Special Agents and State Troopers to conduct gang and drug investigative operations and a team of DPS Intelligence Analysts.

DPS will also provide one helicopter and two patrol planes to provide direct air support.

"The State of Texas is working closely with HPD to provide the necessary resources that will effectively combat violence in the Houston community," said Governor Abbott. "The support that DPS is providing to HPD will protect Houstonians and crackdown on illegal and violent activity, including road rage-related shootings, within the city."