DPS says Houston repeat-offender initiative removed 135 repeat offenders in 60 days; director highlights statewide border-related enforcement

Colonel Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, told the Public Safety Commission at its December meeting that a Houston-focused repeat-offender initiative begun in October produced 193 arrests in its first 60 days, of which 135 were identified as repeat offenders.

Martin described the operation as a multiagency effort with Harris County and Houston police that prioritized high-threat individuals. "Enforcement operations: 86 criminal arrest, 107 fugitive arrest, for a total of 193 arrests, but 135 of those are repeat offenders," he said, and listed seizures that included 85 drug seizures, 30 weapons and multiple currency and stolen-vehicle recoveries.

Why it matters: Martin argued that a small share of individuals drives violent crime, citing the department—s analysis that a small percentage of offenders account for a disproportionate share of violent incidents. He said the operation gives state and local partners a model for similar work in other cities.

Martin also briefed commissioners on Operation Lone Star-related enforcement across Texas. He said DPS has adjusted how it captures and reports activity so the department—s contributions to border-related and statewide interdiction efforts are clearer. "Just in operational start in South and West Texas regions, we had 1,100 suspected illegal migrants that we apprehended and turned over to our federal partners in September, October, and November," he said. Martin added that DPS personnel in nonborder regions apprehended and referred over 1,300 suspected migrants statewide during the same period and reported major drug seizures: "In 2024, Texas DPS seized 3,203 pounds of cocaine. In 2025, we seized 6,367; methamphetamine went from 4,600 pounds in 2024 to 21,600 in 2025; and fentanyl rose from 484 pounds in 2024 to over 1,000 pounds in 2025."

Commissioners asked whether the task force is permanent; Martin said no deadline was placed on the initiative and that local partners— buy-in and resource contributions make continuation likely if results persist. He framed success as lower crime levels and emphasized interagency cooperation: "We know we can do this anywhere in the state."

No formal investigative or judicial conclusions were reported during the hearing; Martin described operational outcomes and the department—s data. The commission did not vote on policy or funding related to the initiative during the meeting.

Next steps: Martin said the department will continue to collect and review data, and commissioners may refer follow-ups to staff for additional briefings.