Abbott directs enhanced security surrounding places of worship

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(The Center Square) – In the wake of targeted violence of religious institutions and ahead of the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, Gov. Greg Abbott directed enhanced security measures to be taken around places of worship in Texas. 

Abbott on Tuesday directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to bolster security efforts surrounding places of worship in the wake of the escalation of violent attacks against people and places of faith occurring nationwide. 

On Sunday morning, five people were killed, including the gunman, and multiple people were injured after a targeted attack of a Morman church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. In August, two children were killed in a targeted shooting during Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis. 

In 2023, three nine-year-old children and three adults were shot and killed during a targeted attack at The Covenant School in Nashville. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the landmark abortion ruling, Roe v Wade, hundreds of people, churches and prolife centers were targeted nationwide. 

Texas’ law enforcement operation involves local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that will be increasing safety and security at churches, synagogues, and faith-based organizations statewide. DPS is spearheading the initiative, which includes Texas DPS Highway Patrol troopers, DPS Criminal Investigations Division special agents, the Texas Rangers and Texas DPS’ Homeland Security Division “to identify threats and prevent life-threatening attacks before they happen,” Abbott said.

"Places of worship are sacred," Abbott said. “We will marshal all resources necessary to safeguard our places of faith. To accomplish that objective, I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to bolster security efforts to protect places of worship." 

He also encouraged Texans to report suspicious activity using the iWatchTexas Community Reporting System. It was launched for members of the public “to report suspicious activities or behaviors in and around schools, places of worship, and communities that may indicate criminal, terroristic, or school safety-related threats.”

Reports can be made through the iWatchTexas mobile app, online at www.iwatchtx.org, or by calling 1-844-643-2251. Reports are confidential.

The iWatchTexas app is free and available for iPhone and Android. “Texans are urged to download the app immediately,” Texas DPS says.

For emergencies, Texans are encouraged to call 911; the iWatchTexas program is not designed to report emergencies. 

The state legislature has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for grants administered by the governor’s Public Safety Office, including to increase security for synagogues, churches, and other religious organizations that face high risks of a terrorist attack because of their beliefs or mission. Texas law permits churches, synagogues and other places of worship to have security teams, including volunteers or hiring law enforcement officers or licensed security guards. 

Abbott issued a similar law enforcement directive after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel after targeted attacks against Jews, synagogues and other religious organizations increased nationwide. He also directed Texas DPS troopers to crack down on pro-Hamas rioters targeting public higher education institutions in Texas, The Center Square reported.

He also issued surged law enforcement resources to protect churches and religious organizations after increased violence was committed targeting Christians in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Dozens of incidents of “arson, vandalism, property theft, and property destruction,” targeting churches, prolife organizations and individuals were identified in a report published by the Family Research Council, The Center Square reported.