Posted: May 13, 2015 12:45 PM PST
Updated: May 13, 2015 3:36 PM PST
By Joe Roetz, Reporter

LEE COUNTY, FL -

The Lee County sheriff says Southwest Florida borders are open to terrorists, human traffickers, and drug smugglers - and he is looking to stop it before it becomes a problem.

Sheriff Mike Scott is looking to grab nearly $1 million from the federal government to expand these efforts in Lee County.

The sheriff partnered with several agencies across Southwest Florida, like Cape Coral police and Fort Myers police.

If he gets the nearly $1 million from the Department of Homeland Security - it would pay for three years of overtime and maintenance.

Water is an unforgiving environment. We were along for the ride as our regional Waterborn Strike Team trained in West Palm Beach a couple months ago.

The group is made up of officers from several agencies across Southwest Florida to tackle dangerous calls on the water.

The military would conduct a rescue in a hostage or maritime situation - which isn't always the case - so now the Lee County sheriff is looking to expand a program aimed at protecting the borders.

It involves two, three-year grants totaling nearly $1 million from the federal government - to pay for law enforcement to stay on the clock longer and out on the roads and water.

In a pitch to commissioners - the sheriff paints our pristine shoreline and access to I-75 as the perfect route for drug smugglers, human traffickers and those carrying other contraband.

Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann is one of five who will vote on letting the sheriff apply for the grant and says he sees a big concern for taxpayers.

"I don't want us to be tricked into partnering in a program where they give us funding for three years and suddenly they disappear and we are called upon to do something we have never done in the past," said Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann.

Commissioners are expected next week to discuss whether they'll let the sheriff's office apply for the grant.

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/29056438/...m#.VVQbfZMYMvw