Arpaio says he'll launch next sweep within 3 weeks

By JACQUES BILLEAUD
April 9, 2010 3:00 am

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says he will launch his next crime and immigration sweep within the next three weeks in Phoenix.

Arpaio wouldn't say exactly which day he would begin the sweep or the specific areas of the city that his deputies will patrol during the sweep.

But he says he will focus on high-crime areas and target immigrant smugglers and the drop houses where they hide their customers.

Since early 2008, Arpaio has conducted 14 crime and immigration sweeps.

Critics say Arpaio's deputies have racially profiled Hispanics during the sweeps.

The sheriff says people pulled over in the patrols were approached because deputies had probable cause to believe they had committed crimes.

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