Florida’s Governor on the Attack to Keep Alligator Alcatraz Open

Florida’s Governor on the Attack to Keep Alligator Alcatraz Open

By Jack Pagano

Orlando, FL– Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to carry a big stick in letting Floridians know he‘s looking out for them.  At a Florida Law Enforcement Press conference, the governor was proud as a peacock, relishing fentanyl life-saving numbers (tens of millions), crimes stopped, and bad guys thrown in jail.  Dragnet’s Jack Webb would admire and love the press conference.  Remember the television series “Dragnet” where the good guys win and the bad guys go to jail.  This is what DeSantis and his Florida enforcement crusaders are doing- showcasing Florida’s “Dragnet” rule of law with FLE leading the way.

Florida Law Enforcement Operations Center, Orlando, Florida.  Governor Ron DeSantis press conference about fentanyl lifesaving work and Alligator Alcatraz, 2 September 2025 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Saving lives was the theme of the conference, and how Florida’s crackdown on crime is winning, but everyone wanted to know about Alligator Alcartraz.  The controversial airport jail in the Everglades swamp that deports bad guys to faraway lands in a one-stop shop.  Republicans love it, while liberals say it is unconstitutional and environmentally unsafe, so the facility should be closed.  US District Judge Kathleen Hartman says it should be closed and issued an order to shut it down.  As fabled coach and ESPN analyst Lee Corso said, “Not so fast…my friend!”

Florida Law Enforcement Operations Center, Orlando, Florida.  Governor Ron DeSantis press conference about fentanyl lifesaving work and Alligator Alcatraz, 2 September 2025 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Florida Law Enforcement Operations Center, Orlando, Florida.  Lt. Governor Jay Colins talking about his “Dragnet” style of getting the bad guys off the street. 2 September 2025 (photo by Jack Pagano)

DeSantis and Lt Gov. Jay Collins, a wounded Green Beret veteran, have not surrendered to Hartman, and from the conversation at the presser, they will never raise the white flag.  DeSantis says, we will ultimately “win” in court and called the judge “very partisan.”  “We’re actually in the process of … figuring out how we can set up a Panhandle Pokey, and we’re going to have that in the Panhandle.”  This is another visionary approach to getting the bad guys off Florida streets and beaches.

President Donald Trump toured the facility last July and suggested it could be a model for future lockups nationwide as his administration races to expand the infrastructure needed to increase deportations.

Florida Law Enforcement Operations Center, Orlando, Florida.  Governor Ron DeSantis, with a group of Florida Law Enforcement personnel in the background, touts the many accomplishments of Florida’s crackdown on crime. 2 September 2025 (photo by Jack Pagano)

DeSantis was optimistic about his “get the bad guys” off the street philosophy.  “We’re also going to have Deportation Depot,” DeSantis said about another facility in the state, near Lake City. “We may, have Panhandle Pokey, and then we’re also looking in other areas. And so, I think the net of this, there’s a demand to have way more than just Alligator Alcatraz.”

Florida officials say shutting down Alligator Alcatraz would cost $15 million to $20 million, and it would cost another $20 million to reinstall structures if they ultimately are allowed to get Alligator Alcatraz running.  And if it is permanently closed, the Florida Division of Emergency Management will lose most of the $218 million investment in making the airport in the swamp suitable for a detention center.  A lot of your taxpayer money is on the line.

Florida Law Enforcement Operations Center, Orlando, Florida.  Lt. Governor Jay Collins showcasing his can-do spirit to keep Alligator Alcatraz up and running. 2 September 2025 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Trying to stop DeSantis and Collins, two dedicated military veterans who served in overseas conflicts, will not be an easy task.  They will always stand tall and never surrender to what they believe is right and just.  They are driven to get the bad guys deported and out of Florida’s wonderland.  DeSantis says, “Alligator Alcatraz is not a ’dead’ alligator.”  DeSantis and his Florida enforcement crusaders are not giving up.

Florida Law Enforcement Operations Center, Orlando, Florida.  Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to a friendly crowd. 2 September 2025 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Florida Law Enforcement Operations Center, Orlando, Florida.  Governor Ron DeSantis telling the partisan crowd he will never back down in his fight to keep Florida safe. 2 September 2025 (photo by Jack Pagano)

Jack Pagano is a retired Army field grade officer with many decades of Information Operations experience and currently working remotely in the USA as COO/Strategist for one of Afghanistan’s biggest Radio/TV networks.  His current mission is getting out Afghan journalists he trained, and mentored who are stuck, stranded under the Sharia-driven Taliban.