By Garrett Shanley
Miami Herald
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday authorised roughly $40 million to reimburse native regulation enforcement companies — primarily in rural counties — for a fast buildup of kit and detention capability as a part of the state’s escalating immigration crackdown.
The whole marked a pointy, last-minute discount from the $53 million spending plan that had appeared on the Cabinet’s agenda forward of the assembly. State officers didn’t instantly clarify why the general quantity was scaled again.
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The Florida Cabinet — which incorporates Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson — voted because the State Board of Immigration Enforcement to approve grant functions from 18 companies throughout 16 counties.
Anthony Coker, the board’s government director, informed Cabinet members that one of many largest requests — from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office — had been revised. The company’s unique $23.6 million proposal was modified “to include two years of equipment” at a diminished value of about $9.9 million, Coker mentioned.
According to an up to date checklist of the authorised reimbursements offered to the Herald/Times by the governor’s workplace, the Lee County requests authorised by the state board included a $4.3 million, two-year contract for physique cameras outfitted with synthetic intelligence translation expertise.
The itemized checklist of reimbursements presents one of many clearest seems but at how native regulation enforcement companies are increasing their immigration enforcement operations as a part of DeSantis’ push to align Florida with the Trump administration’s crackdown on unlawful immigration. Equipment bills made up about $27.8 million, or over half, of the $46 million reimbursements newly authorised by the Cabinet.
Some of the most costly gear requests got here from Lee County, although their standing stays unsure. According to the agenda, the county sought $2.1 million from the state to cowl the acquisition of 1,200 Angel Armor vests at $1,806.25 every.
In its software, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office mentioned deputies “often operate in high-risk environments, including detention facilities and joint federal–local operations, where mobility, comfort, and sustained protection are critical.” Properly fitted physique armor, the company wrote, permits for a full vary of movement and reduces fatigue throughout lengthy shifts, enabling officers to stay alert whereas conducting screenings, interviews or transporting detainees.
Other sizable requests included $3.78 million from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for radios and dispatch consoles, and $182,500 from the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners for a “new generation body scanner” that “would provide a faster scan time, can detect elevated body temperatures, and provides a high-resolution X-ray image with no distortion.”
“This upgrade is critical for detecting weapons, cellphones, and contraband that’s hidden under clothing and inside the body of ICE detainees,” Osceola County wrote in its reimbursement software. The county additionally requested an almost $60,000 reimbursement for ballistic car panels.
The board’s agenda additionally included a $1.4 million carveout to award bonuses to about 950 regulation enforcement and correctional officers who help with detention efforts.
Of the $40 million authorised Tuesday, roughly $14 million will fund new grant awards, Coker mentioned. The remaining $26 million will go to companies in search of amendments to beforehand authorised requests, many asking for extra funds.
The reimbursements are a part of a broader $250 million pool put aside by the Florida Legislature and championed by DeSantis to help native participation in immigration enforcement. The state has already authorised tens of tens of millions of {dollars} in earlier rounds.
Agencies have sought reimbursement for a wide selection of instruments and applications, together with physique cameras, license plate readers, surveillance towers, specialised software program, coaching below the federal 287(g) program — which authorizes native officers to carry out sure immigration enforcement capabilities — and jail mattress area for immigrants awaiting federal processing.
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