The Escambia County, Fla., sheriff is calling out the Orange Beach Police Department after officers drove a homeless man from Alabama to Florida.
The officers dropped the man off in front of the Waterfront Rescue Mission in Pensacola. While Orange Beach officials claim the man asked for the ride, the sheriff’s office released body-camera footage showing him denying it.
Sheriff Chip Simmons took to Facebook, asking the police department why this happened and accused them of having a “homeless relocation unit.”
“Surely someone in Alabama has a heart to provide necessary services,” Simmons said. “Our tax dollars should NOT go to provide services to the entire southeast.”
Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon told WKRG the sheriff’s office needs to “stay in their sandbox" and quit worrying about Orange Beach. He said the officers used the benevolent fund to take the homeless man to the rescue mission.
Kennon said he did not receive a phone call from Simmons and learned of the issue on social media.
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