Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) warned that the chaos on the southern border puts Americans at risk.
Ivey said in a statement that Alabama is committed to supporting the efforts to secure our southern border, therefore protecting Alabamians and all Americans. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) participated in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Southwest Border Summit. Ivey praised the summit and ALEA’s dedication to combating crime from the border.
“Border security and crime stemming from illegal immigration cannot be neglected, plain and simple,” Ivey said. “Failing to secure our southern border puts Americans – young and old and from all walks of life – at risk. I am proud that members of our Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are taking steps to combat the increase in crime coming from the U.S.-Mexico border. We in Alabama are continuing to do our part to protect our citizens.”
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen hosted law enforcement leaders from eight southern states to discuss ways to better combat the increased crime coming from the U.S.-Mexico border.
“By sharing intelligence and resources, we can more effectively curb the flow of drugs, human trafficking and gang violence coming into our states from the southern border,” said Swearingen. “I thank my counterparts for their feedback and ideas. I have no doubt that this partnership will make our citizens safer.”
Colonel Gene Spaulding is the Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. Spauling thanked Swearingen and the FDLE “for coordinating this summit to discuss these important issues related to criminal activity associated with our borders and further strengthen our collaborative efforts. I am certain that by working together, we can help more efficiently secure our borders while protecting the victims of these heinous crimes.”
The Texas Department of Public Safety briefed the participants and discussed the current situation as it relates to the crimes coming from across the border and the impact on our local communities. Those attending shared law enforcement investigative efforts and challenges as well as crime trends and ways to utilize partnerships between state law enforcement agencies to address the crimes.
Those who attended the day-long summit include:
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Texas Department of Public Safety
Louisiana State Police
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
Tennessee Bureau of Investigations
Tennessee Highway Patrol
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
South Carolina Department of Public Safety
Florida Highway Patrol
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Ivey was elevated to governor in 2017 when Gov. Robert Bentley (R) resigned. Ivey was elected in her own right in 2018 and is seeking another term. She next faces Republican primary voters on May 24.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
