Law enforcement is alive and well, everyone.

As people continue to criticize the police and insist they’re the problem, a recent operation has proven just how effective they can be—especially when it comes to the safety of children and the arrest of criminals who would stoop low enough to exploit them.

I’m talking about Operation Dragon Eye, which was recently carried out across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties in Florida. The two-week multi-agency operation resulted in the recovery of over 60 “critically missing” children, aged 9-17. What’s more, eight people have been arrested on various charges, including human trafficking, child endangerment, and narcotics possession.

During a press conference earlier this week, Attorney General James Uthmeier noted, “This is what it’s all about. This is why we do the job.”

Absolutely. We do this to keep people safe—especially children. It still angers me to no end that there are adults out there who would attempt to exploit these poor, young children just to make a buck. But these particular eight are paying the price now. That’s for sure.

Uthmeier noted that this is the “largest child rescue operation, not just in Florida’s history, but in United States history.”

And that’s significant. And to think Florida police played a vital role, working alongside other agencies to not only track and arrest the suspects but also ensure the safety of these young kids. Bravo.

Chief Anthony Holloway also discussed the effects of Operation Dragon Eye. “This shows everyone that here, not just in Florida, but in the Tampa Bay area, we are serious about recovering our children and making sure we bring them back home safely. To the suspects who are out there: we’re coming to get you.”

Absolutely. I know this is just a small victory in an operation that no doubt affects hundreds of thousands of kids. But it’s inspiring to see law enforcement so dedicated to bringing down criminals who would take advantage of them and allow these children to return safely home to their families.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw put it best. “Each recovery and arrest is more than a statistic. It’s a reminder of our shared commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us.”

What’s really great is how multiple agencies collaborated so effectively. Taylor Hatch, secretary of the Department of Children and Families, noted, “As you might imagine, an operation of this magnitude requires strong coordination at every level.”

I’ll bet. But the sheer professionalism and dedication to getting the job done right—and quickly, remember, it was a mere two-week operation—is really something. Hatch noted how a team was able to provide “critical information, helped shape recovery protocols, and deployed child protective investigators, criminal justice coordinators, and human trafficking specialists to support this mission in real time.”

Honestly, I want to see more police getting the spotlight for doing their job—and doing it well. More police working alongside fellow agencies—foregoing opinion in favor of duty—to save innocent lives and stop criminals.

There is an opportunity to do even more good here. With that, my organization, InVest USA, is actually working on Broken Arrow Children’s Ranch. We provide therapy for sex-trafficked children while helping locate their families or place them in new homes. It’s located at Treasure Trove Park in Cave City, Kentucky, and we truly believe it is destined to heal the most vulnerable—our children. If you want to learn more about it, please visit the Invest USA website.

For that matter, I hope Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to push for more progress like this. Operation Dragon Eye was a huge success, but we must build on it to shut down similar operations.

Kudos to every officer who took part in Operation Dragon Eye. You’re the real heroes here. And, at last, some people have finally quelled their opinions of these officers in favor of showing them appreciation for their efforts. Obviously there’s still progress to be made—some folks never change—but this is definitely a step in the right direction.

It’s time to make our country safe again. Keep going, team!

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Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website.