AUSTIN—Today, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst issued the following statement after the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Uniform Crime Reporting Bureau released its annual report on the state's decreasing crime rate:

"For the second consecutive year, I'm proud that Texas has significantly reduced its overall crime rate. As Lieutenant Governor, my number one priority has always been to protect the physical safety of all 25 million Texans, and today's report proves that our hard work and commitment to safer streets and neighborhoods is paying off. I commend the allegiance and vigilance of the outstanding men and women of DPS and our local police departments who sacrifice so much daily to protect and serve. As long as I continue to serve this great state, law enforcement officials will have the tools they need to do their jobs and continue to make Texas a better and safer place to live."