Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced the award of $17.2 million to support local enforcement’s border security efforts.
According to the Governor’s Office, the money will fund “border security work, drug interdiction efforts and combatting human trafficking.”
The money will be split up between 27 agencies, including sheriff's offices and police departments throughout the state. The largest allocation will go to the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, which will receive nearly $2.8 million.
“I think that safety and security of our communities is a big priority for Arizonans,” Hobbs said. “I think that came through loud and clear in the election, and I've been focused on border security even before the election.”
Hobbs said she plans to ask the state Legislature for more money this year to support Operation Secure, a program launched by her office to provide support for border security activities. That includes the deployment of National Guard troops to border communities to aid in the interception of illicit drugs.
“Those are the kind of things that we should be working in partnership with federal agents on that provide real and meaningful security for our communities,” said Hobbs, who will release her proposed budget for the next fiscal year on Friday.
The $17 million award to local law enforcement agencies will come from money in the current state budget administered by the Department of Public Safety to support local law enforcement border security efforts, according to the Governor’s Office.
