Thread: Sheriff`s sweeps cut Mesa retail traffic

June 26, 2008 - 10:41PM
Sheriff's sweeps cut Mesa retail traffic
Comments 15| Recommend 1
Mary K. Reinhart, Eddi Trevizo, Tribune
Abram Lizarraga still had a table full of produce by late afternoon Thursday. On any other day it all would have been sold.



SLIDESHOW: Sheriff Arpaio's sweeps come to Mesa

But his fruit stand along East Broadway Road had few customers and, like other area merchants, appeared to be feeling the effects of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's sweeps looking for violators of Arizona's immigrant smuggling law.

"There isn't much traffic," he said. "Very few people are walking."

It was the same story at Rancho Grande on Main Street, where workers estimated that business was down 50 percent.

"In the morning, it was like a desert," said human resources manager Lourdes Fregoso. "It's slow. Really, really slow."

Along East Broadway, where day laborers typically gather, the streets were quiet. Rumors ran rampant, but no one reported seeing more than a few patrol cars passing by.

Merchants and residents said it wasn't just illegal immigrants staying away, but legal residents not wanting to risk being pulled over by sheriff's deputies.

That didn't stop Miguel Chavez from shopping at Rancho Grande with his wife and children.

"I have papers. I'm not afraid of him," Chavez said, referring to Arpaio. "If he pulls me over, I'm just not going to show my papers. I'll sue him."

Chavez said business was slow wherever he went Thursday, and he blamed Arpaio.

"I went to two or three stores today, and there were hardly any people," he said. "It's because the sheriff is out there bothering people."

At the city's three Mesa Food Deli and Carnecerias, traffic was cut in half, said manager Moojid Hamid.

"Fifty percent of business is a big deal for us," he said. "We can take a few days, but probably not for long."

He was concerned the sweeps could continue Friday and Saturday, when the stores see most of their business.

Hamid said the store at University Drive and Dobson Road was hit the hardest.





http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/119479

That didn't stop Miguel Chavez from shopping at Rancho Grande with his wife and children.

"I have papers. I'm not afraid of him," Chavez said, referring to Arpaio. "If he pulls me over, I'm just not going to show my papers. I'll sue him."

Why would he pull you over, unless you've done something wrong? Sue him for what?

Other than that comment, he's got the right idea. He's got nothing to hide, he is here legally and the sweep would not affect him. So what's the big deal?

Thats their "American Dream" to sue someone, It's hard work!

Originally Posted by SOSADFORUS

Thats their "American Dream" to sue someone, It's hard work!

Ya, because they know they can easily find a corrupt lawyer (aclu) to lie, steal and cheat the Americans. Plus they are jealous as Joe Arpaio has large onions and all they have is salmonella tomatoes.