Reader skeptical about efficacy of added police presence in Bylas

Published on Sunday, July 20, 2008 4:14 PM MST

Editor:

I read with amusement the Courier article concerning the proposed increased police presence in Bylas (July 16). Hope it works.

My experience with the San Carlos/Bylas Police was not a very favorable one. Actually, it was lousy.

While traveling through Bylas during the Thanksgiving weekend of 2006, my family vehicle was shot at, shattering the driver door window and the windshield. Fortunately, I was able to maintain control of the truck and camp trailer. Otherwise, a bad situation could have been infinitely worse.

The Bylas Police officer, after concluding his investigation at the scene, informed me that I would receive a copy of his report in a couple of weeks. It's now been almost two years and I'm still waiting. In fact, no one from either the San Carlos Police, the FBI or the BIA has ever contacted me concerning the incident. It's as if it never happened.

I later read in the Courier that some kid with an air rifle was the culprit. He must have been a young Daniel Boone type, or more appropriately, a young Geronimo type. The skill to hit a target traveling at highway speed and firing from a couple hundred yards away would require the ability of a trained sniper. This kid was either the best marksman on the reservation or took the rap for whoever really did the shooting.

So, I hope the Bylas Strategic Tribal Empowerment Prevention Plan (STEPP) doesn't turn out to be a FLOP (Failed Like Other Plans). While drugs and violence may indeed be a major problem in Bylas, so is shooting passing motorists. But I didn't see that item mentioned in their agenda.

Maybe it is further down the list; perhaps just after replacing the burned out bulbs on the highway light poles. After all, proper priorities must be prioritized in their order of importance. This is how a well functioning bureaucracy works. Think it's call CRAP (Continual Release of Ambiguous Policies).

Mike Bibb

Safford

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Comments

23 comment(s)

Concerned wrote on Aug 4, 2008 3:52 PM:

" Let's just hope it is the honest law-abiding people that maintain control in Bylas and not the gangs. "

jodis wrote on Aug 4, 2008 11:39 AM:

" A lot happens on the res. and people get away with it. Tougher laws and tougher cops need to enforce the town. It is sad, but true, that the people need to start ruling the town if the police cannot. More power to the Apache people. "

One Accord wrote on Aug 4, 2008 12:05 AM:

" Why is the blame on the police and the tribal council? Don't you think we, as citizens, neighbors, and members of this country should at least try to help one another? Why do we sit and complain when we can help change whats going on. It seems like we are all at fault here. Don't judge until you take a good look at yourselves. Nobody's perfect! "

Dont blame to police wrote on Aug 3, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Three weeks ago the law was called when 2 girls were abducted from in front of the Alternative School in Bylas one morning. It took an hour for them to get there because they had to come from San Carlos. The girls were found later beaten with a baseball bat and raped. One was flown to Tucson and is still in the hospital. During the praliminary hearing for the boys the judge decided it was the girls fault and nothing was done to the boys. The police can only do what the court lets them. "

hybrid-god wrote on Jul 30, 2008 3:50 PM:

" Bibb, please take your bib off now! You sound like a BIG BABY! "

Jason wrote on Jul 26, 2008 8:23 PM:

" I failed to spell to meet you standards but you failed to answer the question. Deflect and deny its what folks like you do best. Answer the question you made the statement. My spelling is not the issue its your ignorance and problem with some ones religion that made you make that foolish statement. Just thought I would point it out. "

Know them wrote on Jul 25, 2008 11:00 PM:

" I know several of the officers including the Police Chief from the reservation. They are good officers. They are really trying to improve the situation. Good luck to them and the citizens of the Bylas area. As mentioned in an earlier post there are many violent crimes committed that we don't hear about off the reservation. The officers are bringing professionalism to the department and really are putting themselves in harms way every day. Good luck. "

jodis wrote on Jul 25, 2008 9:21 PM:

" Jason,

What is biggotry? A big something? Or were you trying to spell bigotry. You poor man, you need an education. Get out and join the world. You make me laugh. "

Jason wrote on Jul 25, 2008 4:30 PM:

" Jodis so what is a popular "mormon" name. Let me ask this if "mormons" are mainly considered with "white names" would it be fair to characterize that "hispanic" names should be characterize with the "catholic" church. Its amazing how your ignporance and biggotry led you to make that statement. "

jodis wrote on Jul 25, 2008 9:06 AM:

" It's sad that we live in such a political town. No matter if it's Safford, Thatcher or Pima, if you have a popular "mormon" name, you can get away with murder. It's so sad. Maybe Phx. should send some officers to Safford to make sure people are treated fairly. "

officer wrote on Jul 23, 2008 10:53 PM:

" Jason is right too. You gotta be careful who you arrest or cite or you might wind up looking for another job...so difficult to judge how it would make it safer when the police are either constantly dealing with violent criminals or people whom are "immune" to arrest... "

officer wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:45 PM:

" it never makes it off of the reservation. I can tell you though, the few officers they have put thier safety on the line more often than most people will even know and for only around 40,000 a year. They need alot more officers on thier streets. Maybe the casino funds should be sent that direction. But on the other hand, who wants to work there when an officer can make 60,000 plus in phoenix the first year? "

officer wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:43 PM:

" I am a police officer in Phx and have ridden with one of the San Carlos Police officers on a week day night shift. I can tell you from experience, we went from call to call to call and I am not talking about simple domestics, I am talking about barricaded suicidal subjects, armed drunks, armed gang members getting into fights with weapons such as a baseball bat with nails driven into it, a big chain with barbed wire weaved thru it etc. There was also a drive by shooting. You will never hear about this stuff because "

Concerned wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:51 PM:

" I hope that STEPP works and as a result Bylas gets the quality police presence it deserves and desperately needs. If not then, I agree with Mike it will be another FLOP mired in CRAP. In the mean time until the efficacy of the program is proven all I can say is "Godspeed." "

clean up the mess wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:54 PM:

" we got stuck at the lake once and a native couple came and pulled our truck out, thought it was very kind of them to do that, until they demanded 20 dollars for their services, anyone else would have done it and not expected anything in return except a thank you. I dont go to the lake anymore because of all the filth and drunks hanging around. And because there is no law enforcement, except the guys making sure you payed your money for the privilge of being on the reservation. "

Jason wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:41 PM:

" I have been in the court room before. Ask your self this question. Would you rather break down in Bylas on a Saturday night or in the middle of Safford on a Saturday night. Its no secret the reservations refuse to police themselves. If an officer arrests the wrong cousin or officials relative he no longer has a job so the answer. Look the other way and keep your job. Effect, lawlessness on the reservation. You may think I am mean but pointing out the truth still is not against the law. "

WhatNow wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:41 PM:

" Where is the money from the casino going? It should be spent on cleaning up the reservation, taking down the rags and arresting the gangs. The children are not disciplined and this is a result of that.

All that we hear from the residents of the reservation is that it's OUR fault. No it's not. It's sad to see grown men sitting under trees, drinking and ignoring their children.

The tribal council needs to start setting goals to get Bylas cleaned up. "

Concerned wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:02 PM:

" Jason there are a whole lot more colors than you know on that reservation. "

What wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:47 AM:

" Jason, are you listening to yourself, I stongly suggest you sit in, one day, on Judge Holt's courtroom and then tell me the same problems are not in your own back yard buddy. "

thank you pimamom wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:44 AM:

" Thank you, nice to hear someone with a brain finally leave a comment on this site. "

Jason wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:24 AM:

" Well there Pimamom look at all the hanging rags on the telephone lines next time you pass that way. Thats no trash. Its gang colors posted to show whose turf you are on. Last time I passed that way I counted 4 different colors might be more. If it were not such a hassle going through Tucson to Phoenix might sound better then driving through a gang infested land. I agree Hammer Down see if they can hit a faster target. The reservations are in turmoil and over ran with filth. "

pimamom wrote on Jul 20, 2008 8:19 PM:

" I have never had a bad experience driving through the reservation. I am tired of hearing everyone complain about the area. I have some pretty scary experiences driving in Safford and once in Thatcher. I have even been harassed in Pima and I live here. Please stop criticizing the reservation and work on cleaning up your own town of Safford that is rampant with drug problems. I hope this us against them mentality will stop. "

Hammer Down wrote on Jul 20, 2008 4:45 PM:

" And they wonder why we speed across the Reservation. Its called being a small target. "

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