Rep. Steube Backs North Port Police Department’s Application for Federal Public Safety Grant
WASHINGTON–U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) sent a letter of support to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche backing the North Port Police Department’s application for a grant through the Department of Justice’s Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide (BIDEN) Program. The grant would fund the North Port Police Department’s drone as a first responder initiative, providing officers with real-time aerial intelligence within seconds of an emergency call.
“The Sunshine State has welcomed new residents at a record rate, straining our local public safety infrastructure and creating unique operational challenges,” said Rep. Steube. “This aerial technology will help North Port officers track illegal activity along regional transit corridors, respond to calls with greater situational awareness, and deploy personnel more safely and efficiently.”
The BIDEN Program was established through the One Big Beautiful Bill and provides grants to state and local law enforcement agencies for locating and apprehending criminal illegal aliens, investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by aliens and drug and human trafficking crimes, court operations related to those prosecutions, temporary criminal detention of aliens, transportation of aliens related to apprehension and detention, and associated logistics and support. Funds may be used to hire law enforcement officers and support personnel and to purchase technology and equipment.
To be eligible, law enforcement agencies must participate in the ICE 287(g) program or commit to doing so. The North Port Police Department is currently enrolled in the 287(g) program. Last year, Rep. Steube sent a letter to district police chiefs and sheriffs urging them to enroll in the program.
To read the full letter, click here.
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