AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday a coordinated operation to remove homeless encampments, relocate individuals, and clean up public property in and around Austin.
The initiative, which began late last week, aims to address what Abbott describes as public safety risks posed by the encampments.
"Texans should not endure public safety risks from homeless encampments and individuals," Abbott said in a release. “Weapons, needles, and other debris should not litter the streets of our community, and the State of Texas is taking action. I directed state agencies to address this risk and make Austin safer and cleaner for residents and visitors to live, travel, and conduct business.”
According to figures released by the state, since the operation began:
48 encampments have been removed
Over 3,000 pounds of debris have been collected
24 repeat felony offenders have been arrested
Over 125 grams of narcotics have been seized
The operation is being led by the Texas Department of Public Safety, with cooperation from the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas State Guard, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Officials noted that during the clean-up operations, ten subjects were found to have outstanding warrants. Several of these warrants identified the individuals as being armed and dangerous or exhibiting violent tendencies. One arrested individual was wanted out-of-state for Aggravated Escape from Custody, according to the release.