FY24 Texas JAG Program

The violent crime rate in Texas continued to decline in 2023 with a 4% decrease seen in violent crime offenses from 2022 which is a 6% reduction since 2020. Despite the positive downward trend seen with the rate of violent crime, in 2023 there was an uptick in the number of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and drug-related crimes that have occurred in the state with a 3% increase in DUI arrests and a 7% increase in arrests for a drug-related crime since 2022. The Legislative Budget Board stated in their Statewide Criminal and Juvenile Justice Recidivism and Revocation Rates report in February 2023 that, regarding individuals released from a prison or state jail facility in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 that were rearrested within three years of their release or start of supervision, the most prevalent type of offense for which individuals were rearrested was a drug offense and the most prevalent type of offense for which individuals were reincarcerated was a drug or property offense. The Texas Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office (PSO) proposes to use its FY2024 Byrne JAG funds to further support the reduction of crime and making Texas a safer place through the continued support of mental and behavioral health and treatment services for at-risk populations while building trust between communities and local law enforcement. Grant funds may also be used to provide additional law enforcement and court personnel, specialized equipment and training for law enforcement, officer wellness programs, pre-trial diversion programs, jail or prison-based treatment programs, reentry programs, community policing and community-based violence prevention programs, and specialized software and training for court and correctional personnel. PSO anticipates the outcome of this funding will result in a reduction in crime, violence, and recidivism.