Smith County Looks to Form Texas Anti-Gang Task Force

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court Tuesday approved a resolution in support of forming a Texas Anti-Gang Center for northeast Texas in Smith County. In Governor Greg Abbott’s recent State of the State Address, he announced that it was a priority of his to see Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Centers added in Tyler and Waco. Sheriff Larry Smith said there are currently six TAGs throughout the state. If formed, the local TAG would be composed of sheriff’s offices, police departments, and district attorney’s offices based in Tyler and Longview, along with the regional Department of Public Safety operation. Smith said additional federal law enforcement agencies could also join.

The resolution of support approved by the Commissioners Court is required by the Sheriff’s Office to apply for a grant from the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Division. County Judge Nathaniel Moran said if approved, the local TAG could begin in Smith County by September.