Governor Greg Abbott is expanding the Texas Repeat Offender Task Force statewide after first launching the operation in the Houston area last year.
Houston violent crime was already trending down before Texas Repeat Offender Task Force launched, data showsHot Oil, Hammer, Homicide: Little Saigon bar employee killed on the job, suspect charged in gruesome capital murder Read full article: Hot Oil, Hammer, Homicide: Little Saigon bar employee killed on the job, suspect charged in gruesome capital murder A bald eagle named Freedom perches on a branch at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, N.J.
, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. Police to begin giving tickets for texting while drivingRead full article: Can you use your phone at a red light in Texas? Here’s what state law saysMurders were the only major category that increased slightly, rising 6.3% from 95 cases to 101 cases through April 2025. – Governor Greg Abbott is expanding the Texas Repeat Offender Task Force statewide after first launching the operation in the Houston area last year.
The governor announced the task force will now expand into the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin metropolitan areas after what state leaders are calling a successful rollout in Houston. But before calling the task force a success, KPRC 2 reviewed Houston Police Department crime data to answer a key question: Did crime actually go down in Houston after the task force launched? The task force officially launched in the greater Houston area on Oct. 1, 2025.
However, HPD data from April 2025 — months before the task force began — shows violent crime in Houston was already trending downward compared to the same time in 2024. Some of the largest decreases involved crimes the task force says it specifically targets. Murders were the only major category that increased slightly, rising 6.3% from 95 cases to 101 cases through April 2025.
While crime impacts every part of Houston, the data shows violent crime varies significantly depending on the area of the city. District B — which includes parts of northeast Houston, Kashmere Gardens and the Fifth Ward area — recorded the highest violent crime total citywide in 2025 with more than 1,100 incidents. District E — which includes Kingwood and the Lake Houston area — reported the lowest violent crime total citywide with 276 incidents.
There are still several unanswered questions surrounding the task force and its direct impact on crime in Houston. Which neighborhoods saw the biggest impact? DPS directed KPRC 2 to file a public information request for additional details. That request has been submitted.
Re'Chelle Turner Emmy award-winning journalist born and raised in Alabama. College football fanatic and snow cone lover! Passionate about connecting with the community to find stories that matter. How to save 20% at Blushington, River Oaks's newest beauty barBe nice to your local news people, we're trying OKAY!!
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