Store Manager Welcomes Sheriff's Crackdown

April 4th, 2008 @ 12:04pm
by Jim Cross/KTAR

The manager of the Family Dollar Store that is being used as a command post for the Maricopa County sheriffs two-day Guadalupe crime suppression effort says he didn't invite the Sheriff in, but he certainly won't turn him away.

"If it cleans up the streets in the area, 'cause the area is really bad with gang members spray painting my building and my property - tearing up my property, I'm all for that. I don't really seeing them go after anyone that's illegal," says Anthony Rodriguez.

He says the sheriff's heightened presence in his parking lot did not affect sales one way or another and it is making an impact.

"Anyone that comes out here to picket and protest, I would invite them to come look at the back of my building."

Rodriguez says his store is constantly a target for thieves and graffitti.

"I you'd come out here this morning, this was the first time I haven't seen anyone standing in front of my building. I don't have 8 to 15 illegal or legal Mexicans going to work. It's actually nice and quiet for the first time in Guadalupe."

Rodriguez is under fire from some who are angry that the sheriff is using Family Dollar as a command center.

Rodriguez says it wasn't his call to allow the sheriff into the lot.

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