The state now pays for the removal of ships with migrants abandoned in private property after the investigation 7News

(WSVN) — The governor himself weighs in on a less discussed aspect of the migration crisis: Who is responsible for the costly cleaning of boats left on private property? Investigative reporter Karen Hensel covered the issue for the first time and reported to the newsroom.

The morning after our story aired, we got a call from the governor’s office, and then a couple in the Keys got a quick call from the state.

From Fort Lauderdale Beach to Virginia Key and the Florida Keys, the flow of migrants continues to arrive on the shores of South Florida.

The humanitarian crisis also raises a new question, first raised by 7 Investigates: Who is responsible for removing migrant boats abandoned on private property?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: “There are boats everywhere – people owned and all that.”

On Thursday, DeSantis responded directly to the problem we identified by saying that the government will now pay the bill.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: “We’re going to clean up the ships for free for these residents because they’re not at fault. Maybe we’ll send an invoice to Biden. We will see.”

The governor’s remarks follow our story on Tuesday with Jack and Sue Bartkus, who live in the small town of Key Colony Beach, near Marathon.

Sue Bartkus: “My granddaughter ran upstairs and said, ‘Have you seen what’s ahead?’

At the beginning of last week, a makeshift boat with migrants approached their property.

Jack Bartkus: “And the police told me then that they thought there were about 20 people on this boat from Cuba, and they took people into custody, and they did nothing with the boat. They left it here and just threw it away, so that became my problem.”

A December letter from Key Colony Beach officials to residents read, in part: “If any vessel happens to be on your private property, [it] becomes your problem. This rule of law is both inconvenient and a little expensive, but it is the law.”

Jack Bartkus: “It’s not fair. It is completely unfair, but of course, now all the costs are on me. ”

The Keyes paid $2,500 to tow the boat.

Sue Bartkus: “It’s a very embarrassing situation.”

But disappointment has now turned into retribution.

The day after our story aired, the couple received a call from government officials and then a check from the towing company. The memo line reads “reimbursed by the state.”

Jack Bartkus: “The owner came and handed me a check for $2,500 and said, ‘I don’t know how you did it, but congratulations,’ and I just said, ‘Thanks, Governor DeSantis.’

Also following our report, Florida’s Office of Emergency Management sent out a tweet saying that due to a recent governor’s executive order, property owners are “not responsible” for abandoned migrant boats and the state will clean them up free of charge.

Sue Bartkus: “I’m grateful that the Governor’s administration stepped in and did something. I just hope they acknowledge that this is an ongoing problem. For you to be responsible for something over which you have no control is simply ridiculous.

The influx of migrants is among the issues expected to be discussed when a US delegation arrives there later this month.

The growing number of Cubans arriving by sea and arriving at the US-Mexico border is putting political pressure on President Biden to resume negotiations with the Cuban government.

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texasstandard.news contributed to this report.

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