Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to increase Texas Antiterrorism Task Force resources after a man from Houston committed a deadly terror attack in New Orleans.
On New Year’s Day, Shamsud-Din Jabbar—a Houston resident—drove a vehicle into a crowd celebrating the holiday in New Orleans, killing 14 people and injuring 35 others. Before initiating the attack, Jabbar pledged allegiance to the terrorist group, ISIS, in videos that he posted online.
The Texas DPS will work with FBI field offices in Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio to expand safety operations across the state.
A large part of the task force will focus on prevention efforts like enhancing the Bomb Making Materials Awareness Program, which aids in disseminating information about suspicious purchases between the private sector and law enforcement.
DPS was also directed to work with federal agencies to locate special interest aliens—those who entered the U.S. illegally and based on an analysis of travel patterns, potentially poses a national security risk to the United States or its interests.
Protection and mitigation plans involve DPS Regions working with local law enforcement to assist in planning and carrying out “mass gatherings.” Resources would include vulnerability assessments, threat detection technology, analytical support, and security personnel.
Local mass casualty attack response workshops on how to deter and respond to terror attacks will be supported by the DPS.
“Terrorism has no place in Texas,” Abbott stated. “Law enforcement at all levels must aggressively collaborate to eliminate radicalization that can lead to terrorist attacks.”
Additionally, Abbott directed DPS to assess the Texas Capitol for vulnerabilities to terror attacks using vehicle ramming and to provide security enhancement recommendations.
