Since discovering over one year ago that the Federal Government was not the answer to solving the illegal alien problem in Bay County, we have taken the initiative to explore options open to us under Florida State Statute. By trial and error, we have designed a strategy to utilize existing laws in Florida to combat this problem in our county. We believe this strategy to be working in Bay County.

Initially, we went to the Federal Government for help. There were problems. After several months, the situation got better. But after conducting several joint operations, it became apparent the Federal Government could not do what we felt we needed to do in Bay County. During this time we were urged to participate in a program called the 287-G program and so we filled out the proper paperwork. This program, created by the Federal Government, would empower deputies of the Bay County Sheriff's Office to deal with illegal aliens like a federal agent. I have received no response from the Federal Government to the paperwork submitted other than: "We don't have the money to fund the program this year." We even made the offer to pay our own way, to no avail.

I began to realize that to see any action on this problem, I would need to take the initiative and find existing laws that local law enforcement was already empowered to enforce. We began to research Florida State Statute and subsequently discovered two that have proven effective.

Florida State Statute 817.568 deals with the Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information. The second is 440.105 (4)(b) 9, which deals with the use of False Information to Obtain Employment. It has been our experience that illegal aliens often steal and use the social security numbers of innocent and unsuspecting victims to gain employment. These victims are honest American citizens who are understandably upset when notified their social security numbers have been stolen and express gratitude to us for putting a stop to this form of identity theft.

Our efforts are working. The number of illegal aliens is dropping in Bay County as they realize they can't violate laws in our county without facing consequences.

We have received criticism for our strategy in handling illegal aliens. No doubt, as we continue to reap the rewards of our efforts, we will also continue to receive criticism. But the Bay County Sheriff's Office will not allow criticism to hinder its efforts to do everything in its power to apply Florida State Statutes to this problem in a lawful manner. Whether it be illegal aliens or illegal drugs, the Bay County Sheriff's Office remains committed to removing any criminal element and illegal behavior from our county.

So, now that you have accurate information, you can make your own decision. Are the efforts of the Bay County Sheriff's Office effective? Well, just ask Mr. Jose Madrid, who expressed his opinion in a recent article by Melissa Nelson of the Associated Press:

Sheriff Frank McKeithen