WacoTrib by Tommy Witherspoon 2/7/2019
Hoping to build on the successes of six anti-gang centers across the state, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is proposing to add two new crime-fighting centers, including one in Waco.
Abbott announced plans for new Texas anti-gang centers in Waco and Tyler in September and reiterated his resolve to fund the creation of the two new centers and to give additional funding for the six existing centers, during his state of the state address this week.
"The State of Texas is sending a message to criminals and gang members that any attempts to compromise the safety of our communities will not be tolerated," Abbott said. "My top priority as governor is keeping Texans safe, and these latest proposals will help me do just that."
The anti-gang centers involve local, state and federal law enforcement brought together under one roof to cooperate, share information and crack down on violent criminal activity, officials have said. The existing centers in Houston, San Antonio, McAllen, El Paso, Lubbock and Dallas, have achieved significant success in curbing gang activity governor's office spokesman John Whitman said.
"The governor has said we know that these work because we have seen the results," Whitman said. "In 2017, 1,400 criminals associated with gang-related activity were taken off the street in the Houston area. We have seen the results and we need to replicate that around the state, and the next two places we are proposing to do that are Waco and Tyler."
More:
https://www.wacotrib.com/news/police/governor-proposes-new-anti-gang-center-for-waco/article_5504991f-d88a-5583-8394-583c524bf325.html
