Lawmakers invite Arpaio to SE Valley
5 commentsby Senta Scarborough and Megan Boehnke - Apr. 4, 2008 01:29 PM
The Arizona Republic
Eight legislators have jumped into the debate over Sheriff Joe Arpaio's crackdown on illegal immigrants, inviting the sheriff to expand his enforcement efforts into Southeast Valley cities.

The letter was sent Thursday, the same day Arpaio brought his deputies and posse to Guadalupe in the most recent sweep.

Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, and other state legislators from Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert signed the letter, saying illegal immigrants have "imposed a tremendous economic burden on taxpayers and contribute to some of the most violent criminal activity in the state."
The letter cites the Chandler Rapist case and the murder of Phoenix Police Officer Nick Erfle as examples of crimes they say were committed by illegal immigrants.

"Law enforcement can no longer sit on the sidelines and be a spectator to the destruction of the Rule of Law and the degradation of our streets and neighborhoods," according to the letter provided by Barrett Marson, Arizona House of Representatives Director of Communication.

The letter was signed by State Representatives Mark Anderson, R-Mesa; Karen Johnson R-Mesa; Chuck Gray, R-Tempe; Warde Nichols, R-Chandler; Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler; Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, and Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert.

"By our government officials failing to act they are demonstrating their complicity for the deaths and maiming of our citizens as they continue in their refusal to enforce our laws," it went on to say.

On Thursday Arpaio conducted his most recent sweep in Guadalupe, saying he had been invited by the town manager and council members to help the town with what he called a crime-suppression effort. But Mayor Rebecca Jimenez issued a statement Thursday evening saying the town does not support the sheriff's actions.

A crackdown last week in Phoenix set off a war of words between Mayor Phil Gordon and Arpaio, and drew criticism from those who say the raids are racial profiling and undermine city police efforts.

A similar sheriff's operation in Mesa in November drew criticism from Police Chief George Gascón. On Friday Gascon declined to comment on the legislators' letter.

Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn said earlier this week he has concerns should the sheriff's enforcement actions take place in his city, saying he has confidence that Chandler's police department is meeting the city's needs.

http://tinyurl.com/68bwu9