Governor Abbott remains fully committed to combat terrorism in Texas with intensifying collaboration against radicalization
Texas – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to improve its counter-terrorism initiatives in an aggressive reaction to recent acts of terrorism. This action follows a deadly attack in New Orleans, when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Houston resident allegedly motivated by ISIS, brutally killed 14 people.
Emphasizing the need of thorough cooperation at all levels of law enforcement to avoid radicalization and consequent terrorist actions, Governor Abbott underlined that terrorism has no place in Texas.
“Terrorism has no place in Texas,” said Governor Abbott in a press release. “Law enforcement at all levels must aggressively collaborate to eliminate radicalization that can lead to terrorist attacks.”
The Governor has presented a thorough strategy emphasizing on the enhancement of the operations of the Texas Anti-Terrorism Task Force to strengthen the state’s defense against terrorism. Important components of the plan are strengthening collaborative operations with the FBI’s Anti-terrorism collaborative Terrorism Task Forces across Texas and adding more intelligence analysts committed to identifying and investigating mass attack threats and terrorism.
Moreover, the DPS will strengthen cooperation with federal authorities in order to better spot and evaluate potential risks related to special interest migrants. This program follows years of concerns expressed over illegal immigrants who entered the country and ended up on terrorist watch lists.
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The growing Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP) will also be a major area of focus. This initiative helps law enforcement authorities and the business sector to better communicate about unusual purchases that may be related to the manufacturing of improvised explosive devices.
Working with local stakeholders from law enforcement, mental health, and other fields, the Texas Behavioral Threat Assessment Intervention and Prevention Program Strategy will also be implemented. This approach is meant to reduce the tendency towards violence and strengthen community resilience against radical influences.
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DPS Regions will closely coordinate local law enforcement to ensure special events and mass crowds for protection and mitigating purposes. As needed, they will offer tools including vulnerability assessments, threat detection systems, and security staff. DPS is also scheduled to assist local governments in holding mass casualty assault response seminars to increase community response capacity and readiness.
Governor Abbott has also revealed plans to create a new exercise series meant to increase collaboration with the private sector, especially with regard to owners and operators of key infrastructure. Improving capacity to recognize, discourage, and handle violent assaults will take front stage.
Finally, with recommendations for security improvements aimed at the Office of the Governor, the DPS will thoroughly evaluate the susceptibility of the Capitol Complex to threats including car ramming and other possible terrorist actions.
These steps show an effective attempt by the state of Texas to face and eliminate the threat of terrorism, therefore guaranteeing the safety and security of every one of its people.
