Readers grill Arpaio on immigration, crime, politics
Jun. 16, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Joe Arpaio is sheriff of Maricopa County and is often called "America's toughest sheriff."

He was the guest last week on aztalk Live Talk Wednesday, with aztalk/Viewpoints editor Joe Garcia. But it was aztalk readers who asked most of the questions, not surprisingly focusing largely on illegal immigration.

This is a sampling of that exchange.

Arpaio also talked about his new book, "Joe's Law," co-authored with Len Sherman, who typed the e-mail answers for the sheriff. (Arpaio does not use a computer, trusting his typewriter for correspondence.)

"Joe's Law"(Amacom books) is Arpaio's second book.

"While both books discuss my background, and this time in more detail, 'Joe's Law' delves into some of the issues, particularly immigration, that are of prime concern to everyone in the U.S.," Arpaio said.

Arpaio reminded everyone that he isn't getting rich from his part-time literary career.

"While the book is starting to sell around the nation, the economics of the book business are less rewarding than what you might imagine," he said. "The book business is not the movie business, and few authors actually earn a lot of money."

1. Nohl Rosen: Hi, Sheriff Joe. How many illegals have been rounded up that have criminal records for animal cruelty? How many arrests has the MCSO made so far this year that were the result of cruelty to animals? Thanks.

Animal cruelty is committed by people from all walks of life and professions. Our animal cruelty unit arrested some 30 people in 2007 for these sorts of crimes, and are on track for a similar number this year. There is no indication that illegals commit these crimes in any percentage greater than the general public.

2. Phillip Alger of Phoenix: With your recent crackdown on immigration at the water parks netting six arrests, don't you think it would have made more sense raiding a business that everyone knows hires illegals? Such as a car wash, Mexican restaurants or junkyards in south Phoenix?

Well, Phillip, you make a good point, but let me say that this employer has some 200 employees, half of whom, records show, have potential discrepancies with Social Security numbers, which might suggest that they are working in this country illegally. That's what our investigation will determine. If that proves to be true, that's a major case. And, unfortunately, you're right: There are an infinite number of potential targets, and we are pursuing them, large and small.

3. John Meraw of Phoenix: Joe, why is it that (Phoenix Mayor Phil) Gordon wants to stop the great work you are doing?

The mayor is a left-leaning politician supported by pro-immigrant activists and open-border supporters. Gordon has his own political ambitions that could include running for governor, and he is looking to grab headlines, at my office's expense, to further those ambitions.

4. Isidore: Hello, I would like to ask the sheriff: After having your funding taken away, do you regret backing Janet Napolitano for governor in 2002 over Republican Matt Salmon?

I did not endorse Janet. That is a common misperception. I did stand up for her against unfair and really nasty attacks, the kind of dirty politics this country does not need. I do not regret that, no matter what has transpired since, because I did what I thought was right, and that is all you can do.

5. John Chiazza of Gilbert: Sheriff Arpaio: The term "racial profiling" has come up. Can you please define what you feel is the real term of racial profiling? How do you explain you are not practicing that?

Racial profiling is the practice of predetermining who might be guilty of a particular crime not by their actions, but by their race or religion or sex, or any similarly inherent, personal component. To cut to your question, we do not racially profile people to stop or arrest. Rather, same as with every law-enforcement agency in the country, our deputies are trained to take into account many factors - including, and perhaps foremost, both their own and the department's experience - when deciding how to act.

6. Vlad of Peoria: Sheriff: When will your "crime suppression" sweeps be going into Scottsdale, Peoria, Sun City, Paradise Valley and/or Surprise? We would like you to be balanced and not target only heavy-Hispanic populated areas. What happened to your announced Mesa raid?

We've been in Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, Queen Creek, Aguila, around Buckeye - none of which you would consider "heavy-Hispanic." As far as Mesa is concerned: Stay tuned.

7. Robert Sands:

Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas is the only public prosecutor in Arizona that charges undocumented immigrants with being human-smuggling conspirators in a conspiracy to smuggle themselves. Are your arrests of undocumented immigrants based on Mr. Thomas's independent interpretation of Arizona's human-smuggling law?

The county attorney's role is certainly key in our efforts, and his interpretation of Arizona's human-smuggling law helped set us on a legitimate path. Working within the framework of federal law, and with federal authorities, my office is proceeding clearly and confidently within the bonds of the law of this land, Arizona and the U.S.

8. Chris in Phoenix: Joe, your methods have been called into question perhaps more than ever this year. Are you worried about your prospects of being re-elected? Will anything in your platform change prior to this year's coming election?

I can only do what I believe is right. Honestly, I'm not too worried about getting re-elected. I will continue my job as I have for the last 16 years, and the people seem to appreciate what I'm doing for Maricopa County.







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