CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – After Gov. Ron DeSantis named Camp Blanding Joint Training Center an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, a few residents sounded off about the possible new addition.
Camp Blanding, located near Starke, serves as the Florida National Guard training headquarters, according to DeSantis.
While there were few details about where on the property the detention center would be located and how many detainees it would hold, residents who either live near Camp Blanding or visit the area expressed mixed reactions to the announcement.
“If you’ve got people who have to be rounded up. They have to go somewhere. This may be as good of a place as any,” Chris Knight said.
“Unless they can make sure it’s secure and no one is going to get hurt, then I’m all for it. But, if not, no. I’ve got little kids out here. If someone escapes, that would be crazy,” Arnold Mosley said.
DeSantis said Camp Blanding’s detention facility would be “similar” to the plans to build a detention facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,”at an isolated Everglades airfield surrounded by mosquito-, python- and alligator-filled swamplands.
“I’m a little afraid of having them this close to us. Because they’re not good people,” Chris Fowler said.
“Anytime that we can help the government make sure people are following the law, I’m all for that,” Matt L. told News4JAX.