Governor proposes new anti-gang center for Waco

WacoTrib ^ | 2/7/2019 | TOMMY WITHERSPOON

[Elderberry]

Hoping to build on the successes of six anti-gang centers across the state, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is proposing to add two new crime-fighting centers, including one in Waco.

Abbott announced plans for new Texas anti-gang centers in Waco and Tyler in September and reiterated his resolve to fund the creation of the two new centers and to give additional funding for the six existing centers, during his state of the state address.

"The State of Texas is sending a message to criminals and gang members that any attempts to compromise the safety of our communities will not be tolerated," Abbott said. "My top priority as governor is keeping Texans safe, and these latest proposals will help me do just that."

The anti-gang centers involve local, state and federal law enforcement brought together under one roof to cooperate, share information and crack down on violent criminal activity, officials have said. The existing centers in Houston, San Antonio, McAllen, El Paso, Lubbock and Dallas, have achieved significant success in curbing gang activity governor's office spokesman John Whitman said.

"The governor has said we know that these work because we have seen the results," Whitman said. "In 2017, 1,400 criminals associated with gang-related activity were taken off the street in the Houston area. We have seen the results and we need to replicate that around the state, and the next two places we are proposing to do that are Waco and Tyler."

Abbott has requested $7.1 million to continue funding for existing anti-gang centers and the two proposed centers, Whitman said. The Waco City Council approved a resolution Tuesday for the city to submit a $3.5 million criminal justice grant request to the governor's office to fund the Waco center. If awarded, there would be no matching local funds required, Whitman said.

[9422WMR]

They should go arrest Reyna first!

[RedStateRocker]

Anti-gang center?

Concrete wall and firing squad.

[a fool in paradise]

So while the high profile trial has been and is still under way, no drugs have been trafficked through tiny Wacko?

[Fido969]

Put the ATF in it?

[House Atreides]

An anti-gang center? Jeez, I don’t think they need to go that far to get the prosecutors and cooperating judges under control. But...MAYBE THEY DO.

[an amused spectator]

IBTG

[gaijin]

How about an anti-Police Militancy Memorial & Visitor’s Center..?

[Larry Lucido]

If you accidentally built a gang center next to an anti-gang center, would they cancel each other out?

[gaijin]

[Rembrandt]

Will it be headed by that guy Janet Reno?

[zeugma]

How about we require Waco to clean up it’s own mess in it’s “legal system” before we pump more money in there?