Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to ramp up security around places of worship across the state.
The announcement comes after a horrifying assault over the weekend at a Mormon church in Michigan, where authorities say 42-year-old Thomas Sanford drove a truck into the building, opened fire, and set the structure ablaze. Four were killed in the attack, and eight others were injured.
“Places of worship are sacred,” said Abbott. “We will marshal all resources necessary to safeguard our places of faith. To accomplish that objective, I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to bolster security efforts to protect places of worship.”
According to the governor’s office, the security operation will include Texas Highway Patrol troopers, Criminal Investigations Division special agents, and Texas Rangers, with support from the agency’s Homeland Security Division. The goal is to identify threats and prevent life-threatening attacks before they happen.
Texas has taken several steps in recent years to allow churches more freedom to protect themselves and their congregants.
Under state law, churches may form volunteer security teams without requiring members to be licensed as private security guards, so long as they are unpaid and do not wear uniforms suggesting they are law enforcement.
Additionally, Texans with a valid license to carry may legally bring firearms into churches and other houses of worship unless the property posts signage under Penal Code 30.06 or 30.07 prohibiting it.
These measures followed several high-profile tragedies, including the 2017 Sutherland Springs church massacre, which killed 26 people and spurred a statewide push to strengthen church security. Abbott’s latest directive builds on those efforts by marshalling state resources to support local congregations.
“Texans must remain vigilant,” Abbott said. “Together with DPS, local law enforcement, and our faith communities, we will ensure that all Texans can worship freely and safely.”
Texans can report suspicious behavior through the iWatchTexas portal at iWatchTexas.org or by calling 1-844-643-2251.
