Phoenix mayor says city is cracking down on human smugglers
June 20th, 2008 @ 1:10pm
by Kevin Tripp/KTAR

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, responding to criticism from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, said Friday that Phoenix and other Valley cities are cracking down on human smugglers.

Gordon said that, on Tuesday, the ``IIMPCT" team busted nine suspects who are charged with human smuggling, extortion, kidnapping, armed robbery and the rape of a 14-year-old girl.

``It certainly isn't just one agency, and every agency will have its choice, I guess, as to how to use resources," Gordon said during his weekly meeting with the media.

He added, ``The public supports the Phoenix Police Department. It is entitled to know what the Phoenix Police Department is doing every day."

The mayor questioned Arpaio's decision to request thousands of city e-mails.

``He's never asked to come over and look at it, short of what he's doing, which is using taxpayers' money and sworn officers to Xerox papers that don't even apply to the issue," Gordon said.

The issue is Gordon's claim that sheriff's deputies racially profiled one of his employees. Gordon said that matter is in the hands of the federal government.





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