Florida law enforcement gears up to help U.S. border crisis

Governor Ron DeSantis says Florida is ready to answer the call for help at the border, promising to send law enforcement from throughout the state to areas in need.

A dramatic surge in illegal southern border crossings continues in the United States.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there were 180,000 border crossings last month. Compare that to 23,000 in May of last year. Now, Texas and Arizona are reaching out to other states for help.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is stepping up to the plate, saying the state is ready to answer the call, promising to send law enforcement from Florida to areas in need.

Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a Florida sheriff's office

Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a Florida sheriff's office on Wednesday afternoon.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey spoke with the Governor on Wednesday, stating that his deputies are ready to help.

"When we have a hurricane here in Florida, when we receive help, we receive backup from all over the country … Texas and Arizona have got a storm and it’s a bad storm and unfortunately, it’s blowing in crime and it’s blowing in drugs," Sheriff Ivey said. He also explained the logistics are still being discussed between the state and local departments. For example, things like overtime pay and how many deputies to send.

"Governor DeSantis and his team are looking at what that deployment will look like. Will it be initially state resources that respond with local forces augmenting the state resources. Will it be local law enforcement agencies deploying members out there?," he added. "Maybe some agencies are sending troops, drones, members of corrections to help in that capacity."

Sheriff Ivey said he has one message to those at the border; the cavalry is coming: "We have a choice. We can either fight this at the border or in our own backyards."

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