El Paso County attorneys say DPS pursuit policy falls short after spike in dangerous chases

County Attorney Christina Sanchez told the El Paso County Commissioners Court on Monday that a county review and independent analysis found Texas Department of Public Safety vehicle pursuits in El Paso County are more frequent and more dangerous than local officials and residents expected.

The county review found a 625% rise in vehicle pursuits between 2022 and 2023 in data the county obtained from DPS, with most pursuits conducted by DPS and many ending in residential areas, near schools or in business parking lots. Assistant County Attorney Bernardo Cruz said 85% of pursuits began with traffic violations, nearly half reached speeds over 100 mph and many involved young drivers.

Why it matters: Commissioners and the county attorney framed the issue as a public-safety problem that affects bystanders, vulnerable vehicle passengers and law-enforcement officers alike. The court asked the county attorney’s office to return with legal options and to schedule further discussion next week rather than take immediate action in the meeting’s executive…