Why did Texas not employ the watch/ward system in law enforcement?

The watch and ward system was a method of policing used primarily in urban areas, where designated watchmen would patrol the streets at night to maintain order and alert citizens of any danger. In Texas, the vast territory and the distribution of its population did not support this system effectively. The state had large expanses of land with many rural areas and only a few larger cities. As a result, the watch and ward system was impractical, as it relied on having a concentrated population within a smaller geographical area for effective monitoring and rapid response.

In Texas, the more significant challenge was addressing the needs of both urban and rural communities. The vast distances and low population density made it difficult to establish a network of watchmen who could ensure safety and security effectively. This led to the development of alternative policing strategies that took into account the unique geographical and demographic characteristics of the state.