Videos posted online show vehicles doing doughnuts, people setting off fireworks and crowds gathering around intersections in Austin.
in connection with the takeover, where authorities reported seeing vehicles drifting and doing burnouts around pedestrians.
“Despite the foolish attempts by some local officials to defund and demoralize our brave law enforcement officers, Texas is and remains a law-and-order state,” Abbott said in a written statement. “We must send a clear message that these reckless, coordinated criminal events will not be tolerated in Texas.”
Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to address the recent events, which his office said have become increasingly violent and more frequent, endangering the public. The events have resulted in injuries to law enforcement, Abbott’s office said.
The takeovers are putting the lives of Texans and law enforcement at risk, DPS Director Steven McCraw said in a written statement. Street racers have taken over the South Lamar and Barton Springs intersection in Austin. They’re doing donuts and lighting off fireworks with a big crowd.
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