Jan 27, 2023: Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes Talks About the Consequences if Hobbs Defunds Border Strike Force

Brian Sussman talks with Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes about the success of the Border Strike Force and challenges fighting the open border and drug cartels.

Even thought this month is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Gov. Katie Hobbs Hobbs has proposes defunding Border Strike Force, an 2015 Ducey initiative within the Department of Public Services targeting border crimes and focusing on transnational criminal organizations.

In early January 2023, Gov. Katie Hobbs released her 2024 Fiscal Year budget proposal of $17.1 BILLION in spending that includes higher education spending, and other social services. Shockingly, Hobbs also included in her budget to DEFUND $17 MILLION budget for the Border Strike Force.

Arizona residents find it inexcusable for the AZ Governor to cut funding for law enforcement that is among the only line of defense against human smuggling, cartels supplying drugs like fentanyl to our youth, and the dark consequence from uncontrolled borders. Her priorities do not match the needs and wants of Arizona citizens and must be exposed.

In 2018 Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) added four K-9 units be a part of the Arizona Border Strike Force Bureau.

According to the Daily Courier “Managed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS), the strike force’s ultimate goal is to “deter, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations that breach the border in their quest to set up business in our state,” according to AZDPS’s website.

One way of accomplishing this mission is by building a web of law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona who consistently share intelligence on where and when drugs or other illicit items may be getting transported along the state’s major highways, byways and thoroughfares.

Sheriff Rhodes will talk about the success of the Border Strike Force and what is at stake.

About Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes

Sheriff David Rhodes is a 27-year veteran of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

He began his career as a volunteer, making it official in 1994 and promoting through the ranks in positions of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Chief Deputy.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session #244, he served as Commander in both the Law Enforcement Division and the Detention Division of the agency, as well as serving as the Commander of the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy. He was elected Sheriff in November of 2020.

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