Public Safety News
Senator Pete Flores responds to interim charges: 'I believe that government’s first responsibility is public safety'
On April 11th, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced 57 interim charges for the upper chamber of the Texas Legislature.
DPS Recognizes Heroic Actions at April PSC Meeting
The Texas Public Safety Commission (PSC) recently held a meeting at DPS Headquarters in Austin where several heroic actions were recognized by DPS Director Steven McCraw and the commissioners.Director McCraw commended the awardees, stating, “The men and women recognized here today embody the Texas Department of Public Safety motto: courtesy, service, protection. I am honored to recognize the courage and commitment of these awardees who have stepped up in service of their fellow Texans. Texas is safer—and brighter—because of them.”Among the awardees was Trooper Lyndon...
Latest News
DPS Recovers 23 Illegal Immigrants Smuggled Inside Flatbed Trailer
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 14, 2024
LAREDO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today recovered 23 illegal immigrants concealed inside a flatbed trailer during an Operation Lone Star traffic stop in La Salle County.On April 12, 2024, just after 9:00 A.M., the driver of a white-truck tractor towing a flatbed trailer on Interstate Highway 35 failed to stop for a DPS commercial vehicle safety inspection. After a short pursuit, the driver stopped one mile north of the La Salle County Rest Area and fled the vehicle on foot. DPS Troopers and law enforcement agency partners then discovered 23 illegal...
DPS Urges Texans, Visitors to Follow Safety Guidelines Ahead of Historic Solar Eclipse
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 7, 2024
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging Texans and visitors to follow safety guidelines ahead of the historic total solar eclipse expected to impact dozens of communities. The eclipse, which is predicted to impact communities in 83 counties, is expected to be visible from roughly 1:30 PM to 1:50 PM on Monday, April 8.
DPS Arrests More Than 200 Illegal Immigrants for State Crimes in El Paso
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 4, 2024
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has confirmed the arrests of 214 illegal immigrants on state rioting charges in connection with the March 21, 2024, incident near Gate 36 in El Paso. According to DPS, "The illegal immigrants attempted to breach the concertina wire and make illegal entry into the United States."The group, consisting of adult males and females from Venezuela, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, had previously been in federal custody for improper entry. They have now been rebooked on state rioting...
DPS Arrests Six in Multi-Agency Lone Star Card Fraud Investigation
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 30, 2024
EL PASO – Earlier this week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested six suspects in connection with a Lone Star Card fraud investigation in the El Paso area. Administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Lone Star Cards are Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help payments. From 2016 to the current date, 30 individuals have been arrested for Lone Star Card fraud.The multi-agency...
Fugitive Sex Offenders from Houston, Odessa Added to Texas 10 Most Wanted List
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 30, 2024
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Braylon Lee Smart and Christopher Michael Anderson to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list. Texas Crime Stoppers is now offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to each of their arrests. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous.Braylon Lee Smart, 27, of Houston, has been wanted out of Harris County since February 2023 for evading arrest/detention with a previous conviction. Additionally, in October 2023, multiple warrants were issued out of Harris and Fort Bend counties for Smart’s arrest...
DPS Announces Featured Fugitive for March
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 6, 2024
Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Mack Kizzee III has been identified as this month's Featured Fugitive, with the reward for his arrest increased to $6,000 for tips received in March. According to reports, Mack Arthur Kizzee III, 29, hailing from Houston, has been on the run since January 2023 due to a parole violation warrant issued by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Additionally, a warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon was also issued in Montgomery County during the same month.In a previous criminal case, Kizzee was convicted of aggravated robbery...
DPS Announces Results from Human Trafficking Operations
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 5, 2024
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently disclosed the outcomes of multiple human trafficking mitigation and rescue operations conducted throughout January 2024, in observance of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. According to DPS Director Steven McCraw, "Human trafficking continues to pose a major threat to the safety of our communities." He emphasized the importance of vigilance among Texans to combat this heinous crime.During the operations, 52 trafficking victims, including nine children, were rescued in various cities across the state, such as...
Texas state Rep. Penny Morales Shaw's bill priorities include paid parental leave, youth pre-trial intervention and a special environmental remediation fund
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 27, 2024
Texas State Representative Penny Morales Shaw, a Democrat, has outlined her legislative priorities in an interview with the Lone Star Standard. These include paid parental leave, youth pre-trial prevention, and a special environmental remediation fund. Morales Shaw is currently campaigning for re-election to represent District 148 in the Texas House of Representatives.
CLEAT Legislative Director: Recent poll shows ‘75% of the people had a fear of crime’ impacting them in the next year
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 23, 2024
Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) Executive Director Charley Wilkison said Texans are feeling increasingly unsafe due to increasing crime rates.
DPS Announces Leadership Promotions
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 23, 2024
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced significant leadership changes following the retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Dwight Mathis after over 35 years of service. DPS Director Steven McCraw expressed gratitude for Mathis' dedication, stating, "For more than three decades, Lt. Col. Mathis has committed his life to the people of Texas. It has been an honor to work alongside him, and I thank him for all he has done to make this department a better place for all."The vacancies created by Mathis' retirement have been filled through promotions approved by the...
CLEAT Legislative Director: If a policer officer is 'accused, they can just be railroaded right out of their job’
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 21, 2024
Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (CLEAT) Executive Director Charley Wilkinson said that police officers facing legal action aren't granted the same due process rights as non-police officers.
Protecting Texas Police Officers and Their Rights, a Discussion with Charley Wilkinson
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 19, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH CHARLEY WILKINSON
Cleat Executive Director: Texas Has Become 'More Violent Simply Because You've Had a Population Explosion'
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 19, 2024
Charley Wilkison, Legislative Director of Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) said that Texas has gotten increasingly more violent over the years.
Texas Department of Public Safety launches Violent Offender Database
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 5, 2024
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has initiated the Violent Offender Database - a centralized repository of individuals who have committed violent crimes. This database is a result of House Bill 5202, passed during the 88th regular session of the Texas Legislature.
DNA Helps Convict Attacker Nearly Two Decades Later
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 8, 2024
A nearly two-decades old cold case has been solved thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Texas Rangers and local law enforcement. Jessie Rodriquez, 41, was convicted of attempted aggravated sexual assault, a second-degree felony, in the 35th Judicial District Court of Mills County. Rodriquez received the maximum 20-year prison sentence.The charges and conviction stem from a 2005 cold case in Mills County. In the early morning hours of August 13, 2005, Rodriquez broke into a home and attempted to sexually assault a 21-year-old woman at knife-point. However, during...
Texas Department of Criminal Justice names Warden Adam R. Gonzales the Texas Warden of the Year.
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 2, 2024
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has named Senior Warden Adam R. Gonzales as the Warden of the Year in Texas. The award was presented to Gonzales at the 2023 Senior Warden Leadership Forum.
Texas DPS Director: 'We are grateful for the men and women who put others’ wellbeing before their own'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 17, 2023
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the organization responsible for the welfare and oversight of drivers in Texas, recently recognized its troopers and agents for their heroic efforts at a Public Safety Commission (PSC) meeting. Many were acknowledged by DPS Director Steven McCraw.
Texas Department of Public Safety names El Paso man as December's Featured Fugitive
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 7, 2023
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced its Featured Fugitive for December. The DPS is offering a substantial reward of $6,000 for information leading to the arrest of this individual.
