Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced that he has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to bolster the state’s Anti-Terrorism Task Force resources. The announcement follows the terror attack in New Orleans.
“Terrorism has no place in Texas,” Abbott said. “Law enforcement at all levels must aggressively collaborate to eliminate radicalization that can lead to terrorist attacks.”
Under the directive, DPS will work alongside FBI Field Offices to increase Anti-Terrorism Task Force operations across the state and increase the number of intelligence analysts investigating terrorism and mass attack threats and provide analytical assistance. DPS will also work with federal agencies to “identify, locate, and assess potential threats from Special Interest Migrants,” a press release explains. In particular, DPS will work with the Department of Homeland Security to expand the Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP).
DPS will further work with law enforcement partners as well as those in mental health and other fields to “implement the Texas Behavioral Threat Assessment Intervention and Prevention Program Strategy,” the release says. DPS will also train and educate communities on preventing terrorism.
In describing the prevention and mitigation of terrorism, DPS will, as per the press release:
- work with local law enforcement partners on plans for ensuring the security of special events and mass gatherings, providing assistance with vulnerability assessments, threat detection technology, analytical support, and security personnel
- support local jurisdictions in planning mass causality attack response workshops
- develop an exercise series on coordinating with private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure
- expand the Texas Infrastructure Liaison Officer Program by offering additional certification and training opportunities
- assess the vulnerability of the state’s Capitol Complex and provide recommendations
Abbott shared the directive on X, reiterating that “terrorism has no place in Texas.”
