Overview
- Gov. Greg Abbott said a DPS-led operation that began late last week has cleared 48 encampments, removed over 3,000 pounds of debris, arrested 24 repeat felony offenders, and seized more than 125 grams of narcotics with support from TxDOT, the Texas State Guard, and TDCJ.
- Austin separately began a three-week citywide surge on Monday, reporting 46 encampments cleaned and outreach at 29 sites on the first day, with most people leaving voluntarily and two arrests recorded.
- The city has dedicated roughly 60 shelter beds to its initiative, has sheltered about 10 people so far, and says outreach teams have connected about a dozen others with services while pausing general intake to focus resources.
- Mayor Kirk Watson and city staff say the state did not coordinate before operating on city-owned land and have offered to align efforts, including allowing referrals into city shelters.
- It remains unclear where people removed by the state are being relocated or what services are offered, and the governor’s office has not detailed a relocation plan or confirmed coordination with the city.