Thread: Gordon to testify before Congress about border violence

Gordon to testify before Congress about border violence
43 comments
by Jahna Berry - Mar. 20, 2009 04:33 PM
The Arizona Republic

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon will testify before Congress next week about how border violence has impacted public safety in Phoenix.

The mayor is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. on Tuesday before House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies.

Gordon's trip to Washington comes as deadly drug violence surges in Mexico. More than 6,000 people died in drug-related violence in Mexico in 2008, more than double the number from the previous year. Homeland Security SecretaryJanet Napolitano, Arizona's former governor, plans to send more than 100 federal agents to the border to help combat the wave of violence.
While crime is down overall in Phoenix, Gordon said, the majority of the city's violent crime is related to human smuggling and drug violence. That situation could become worse if the federal government doesn't take a stronger role, he said.

"Criminals aren't going to respect geographic boundaries if their livelihood is endangered, so the feds have to get more involved," the mayor said on Friday."

While we are in a financial crisis . . . the public safety and the homeland security side can't be sacrificed," Gordon added.

Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris will also attend the hearing and will answer questions if needed, the mayor's spokesman said. Harris, however, is not scheduled testify.

Gordon is the latest Arizona official to travel to Washington to testify about this issue. Attorney General Terry Goddard spoke to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

www.azcentral.com

GO ARIZONA!!

Keep up the work AZ.... catch all the illegal immigrants and drug dealers.

I find it strange that Gordon is suddenly so worried about violence......and hard economic times......when he's so busy running Phoenix like a sanctuary city and in with the crowd trying to crucify Joe Arpaio and the MCSO for having the audacity to do their job.

What's this little creep up to all of a sudden that he's become Mr. Law and Order?

I was wondering the same thing azwreath, but thought I'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

Yup, if Gordon is concerned about this, he should be learning from and implementing what Arpaio is doing -- instead of grandstanding against the good Sheriff.