WINTER HAVEN, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted Florida’s actions to uphold law and order, protect the state from fentanyl and other illegal drugs, and curb illegal immigration. Last year, Governor DeSantis signed legislation establishing the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) grant program, which provides law enforcement with the funding needed to conduct large-scale drug operations across the state.
Florida has also enacted a suite of legislation to crack down on crime, curb illegal immigration, increase penalties for drug and human traffickers, and recruit law enforcement officers to the state.
When two Soros-backed state attorneys refused to carry out their duties and enforce the law, Governor Ron DeSantis removed them from office.
“Leadership matters,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Law and order is maintained when leaders insist on enforcing the law. Florida has enacted legislation to combat crime, recruited police officers from all over the country, refused to allow cities to defund the police, and—when necessary—removed rogue state attorneys who refused to enforce the law.”
“Florida is a law-and-order state, and through proactive leadership and diligent law enforcement efforts we continue to prosper, break tourism records and lead in new business formations,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “This is due in large part to the brave men and women in law enforcement, and we will always work to ensure they are supported by Florida leadership.”
“Florida is a national model in eradicating drugs from our communities and taking criminals off the street,” said Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner. “In every corner of this great state, you will find State Troopers and local law enforcement working together to interdict drugs and arrest those who profit off of it. Instead of being demonized, Governor DeSantis celebrates the dangerous work our law enforcement officers do every day, and our men and women in law enforcement deeply appreciate that.”
“I commend Governor DeSantis and the Florida legislature for their support of law enforcement in Florida,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “We are a law-and-order state, and proud of it. Because of this, our communities are thriving. Florida is a safe place to live, work, and play.”
“Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis and his leadership, Florida’s law enforcement officers have arrested hundreds of dangerous drug traffickers and taken fentanyl and other deadly drugs off our streets,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. “Florida is a national role model and stands in stark contrast to crime-plagued blue states.”
In 2023, Governor DeSantis approved $20 million in funding for Florida’s SAFE program administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This state-funded grant has allowed local law enforcement agencies to effectively fight against drug trafficking.
Examples of SAFE grant success stories include:
- In January 2024, the Polk County Sheriff's Office utilized SAFE funds to arrest 11 suspects trafficking in fentanyl and cocaine.
- In March 2024, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office seized several handguns along with fentanyl.
- In April 2024, FDLE operations resulted in arrests of nearly 40 drug traffickers.
- In July 2024, FDLE Pensacola announced arrests related to trafficking charges.
- In August 2024, a SAFE-funded investigation dismantled a drug trafficking operation responsible for manufacturing doses of fentanyl daily throughout Polk County.
In total SAFE funds have resulted in over 650 arrests.
###