AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the Texas Gang Threat Assessment, which was developed to provide a broad overview and update of gang activity in Texas.

Significant findings in the assessment include:

• Gangs are a significant threat to public safety in Texas.
• Gangs in Texas continue to work closely with the Mexican cartels.
• Gangs assessed with a Tier 1 ranking pose the greatest gang threat to the state.
• Some members within traditional gangs, such as Texas Syndicate and Texas Mexican Mafia, operate independently of the gang.
• Younger gang members are relinquishing traditional gang structure and rules, opting for less organizational oversight and the freedom to serve in self-interested roles.
• Motorcycle gangs continue to challenge the dominance of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in Texas.
• Gangs use social media to communicate, boast and recruit.

“The findings in this report are further evidence that the State of Texas must continue to do all it can to proactively and aggressively combat gangs operating in our state,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. “Over the last few years, we have expanded the number of Texas Anti-Gang Centers, and initiated and supported violent crime task forces in our state. With gangs continuing to pose a serious threat to public safety in Texas, our residents can rest assured that we will remove these ruthless criminals from the streets and bolster the safety and security of our communities.”

The assessment evaluates and classifies gangs to identify which organizations represent the most substantial threat. The report reveals that there are as many as 100,000 gang members across the state.

To view the full assessment, visit the DPS website.