SAN ANTONIO, Texas

Leadership from the Texas Department of Public Safety is now overseeing the state’s most frequented historic site. The Alamo Trust, which manages day-to-day operations at the Alamo, has shifted security duties to guards who have been stationed there since September.

This change was mandated by Texas Senate Bill 3059, which was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025. The bill includes various provisions aimed at preserving and managing Mission San Antonio de Valero, commonly known as the Alamo, and it has established the Alamo Commission. This commission consists of elected state officials, including the governor, tasked with overseeing the historic site.

The commission now takes over from the Texas General Land Office as the official body responsible for the site’s preservation, maintenance, restoration, and protection.

While the law won’t take effect until September 1, 2027, police officers are already transitioning into their new roles through a permanent transfer of personnel and resources to a facility downtown. Texas DPS units have been stationed at the Alamo since September to facilitate this security transition, and reports suggest they are now fully staffed.

Within the Texas Highway Patrol, a robust group of officers has been assembled, featuring a lieutenant, four sergeants, 40 officers, and a team of specially trained dog handlers. The number of personnel can be increased on short notice if a security threat arises, according to insiders.

Protecting historic sites isn’t entirely new for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Back in June, protests known as the “No King” demonstrations were held by the Alamo River, prompting Governor Abbott to deploy over 2,000 DPS Highway Patrol troopers to assist with protests in various cities, including San Antonio.

During these protests, officers, along with Alamo Ranger private security and local police, managed to keep the demonstrators at a safe distance. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham expressed her pride in the cooperation among the police, Alamo Rangers, and the San Antonio Police Department on social media, emphasizing the importance of protecting the Alamo as a sacred Texan site.

Located at the very center of downtown San Antonio, the Alamo attracts almost 2 million visitors each year, making it the top destination in Texas. It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is the state’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site.