(St. Joseph, MI) - The Berrien County Sheriff was part of a law enforcement discussion about the negative impact the open border at Mexico is having locally with former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump.

 

Chuck Heit, along with sheriffs throughout Michigan, were invited to express their concerns about the lack of border security with Trump during a closed door session Tuesday afternoon at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office in the southeast part of the state.

 

Heit said he made the three hour drive with a few other sheriffs from the area.

“Not that many people probably get to speak or shake the hands of either a current or former president.  It was an honor to get that opportunity,” he said.

 

Like many areas nationwide, Heit said the biggest problem in Berrien County has been a noticeable increase in the amount of overdose deaths from fentanyl and methamphetamine winding up here from Mexico.

 

He said some of the other sheriffs in their meeting with Trump revealed acts of violence in their respective communities linked to migrants.

 

Heit said his other concerns include potential safety threats here in the future from migrants, especially those whose identifies might not be known.

 

“Obviously, our issue is what can be done to secure the border.  In Michigan, we see the effects,” he said.

 

Heit said Trump also shared what he did as president to secure the border and revealed many of those policies will be put back into place if he’s elected again in November.

 

“I can’t control what happens at the border.  So, I will always take an opportunity to speak with someone who may be able to in the future.  If the current president wanted to meet, we would be welcome to give our opinions about the lack of security at the southern border and how that’s effecting counties all across the United States,” he said.

 

After their discussion, Trump discussed his well-known tough stance on border security during a press conference.  

 

Heit, who stood beside and slightly behind Trump during the press conference, wound up in some of the televised and news print images of the former president.

 

He was also part of a similar discussion and media event with Trump a few months ago in Grand Rapids.

 

“There’s been some seizures of some big quantities of fentanyl that have come across.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t take a large amount to cause an overdose death,” he said.

 

Heit took over as sheriff on January 1 when appointed to replace the retired Paul Bailey.

 

Previously, Heit was the Berrien County Undersheriff for 21 years after serving three years as police chief in New Buffalo.

 

Heit, who won the republican primary for sheriff, is seeking his first four year term in November against independent candidate Al DiBrito.

 

No democrat filed to seek the office.

 

Heit, a 1987 graduate of New Buffalo High School, still resides in New Buffalo.