A cry for help came from Florida’s Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Director last week, who told lawmakers that Florida Highway Patrol is losing more troopers than it can hire, spent $10 million in overtime just to cover the gaps and now dealing with added responsibilities of aiding ICE.
FHP troopers were the first department to be deputized for immigration work.
But there is more.
The director told lawmakers the money for trooper overtime is coming from the Department of Motor Vehicles, which may explain long lines and long waits for appointments for driver’s license services in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Trooper William Smith is on the front lines of all that as Union President of the Florida Highway Patrol chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent association. He joined This Week in South Florida host Glenna Milberg to discuss, and their discussion can be seen at the top of this page.