The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding all Texans to do their part to keep our communities and schools safe by reporting suspicious activity or behaviors that may indicate ongoing or future criminal or terrorist activity through the iWatchTexas mobile app. To help promote the app and encourage the public to use this valuable tool, DPS has partnered with the Texas Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Texas School Safety Center, Texas Education Agency and Regional Fusion Centers* to help spread the word.

“School safety is one of my top priorities, and the iWatchTexas program will enhance our commitment to this task,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I encourage all Texans to utilize this app to report suspicious activity in their communities to keep our students safe at school.”

The iWatchTexas program was created as a partnership between communities and law enforcement, and utilizes citizen-sourced tips related to criminal activity. DPS developed the iWatchTexas mobile app to make it easier for the public to report suspicious activity in Texas, including criminal, terroristic or school safety-related threats.

“Protecting the people of Texas and making our communities safer places to live is the number one priority at DPS,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “At the direction of Governor Abbott, DPS launched the iWatchTexas mobile app last summer with the goal of making it easier for the public to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. We must work together, and I encourage everyone to use the iWatchTexas mobile app, as you are our eyes and ears in your community.”

Most recently, DPS created a how-to video to demonstrate how quick and easy it is to use the iWatchTexas mobile app. Through our various partners, this video and a new informational brochure and card about the iWatchTexas program will be distributed at schools, PTA meetings, driver license offices, local businesses and more. The goal is to reach as many Texans as possible to share how this tool can help keep our communities safe.