With the election creeping up on us, I’d like to share what I feel Graham County needs in a sheriff. I look up to Maricopa County’s Sheriff Arpaio. I am sure he’s not perfect and has made some mistakes. But what I have seen and read is that he does not shirk his duty to take care of business. All we need to do is open our local newspaper to see the recent and dramatic rise in crime. Many law-abiding citizens are falling victim. Graham County deserves for its needs to be met.
Joe Arpaio’s jail lightens tax burdens by allowing inmates to work. Inmates are to face consequences they chose so they will not want to come back. Under his tenure, he greatly expanded an all-volunteer posse made of civilians who help with search and rescue, traffic control, backup for sworn deputies and many other duties.
Our counties have diverse needs, but the underlying creed that Sheriff Arpaio follows is to get the job done. The bottom line is accountability. As we learn in the movie “Robots,” “See a need, fill a need.”
I have a need. I’ve heard commercials in which our sheriff has worked with the children of our communities teaching violin and working with the DARE program. These are good things, and I don’t want to discredit them. Citizens within city limits are protected by city police. Those outside the city limits are under the exclusive protection of the sheriff and his small handful of deputies.
My personal experience hasn’t been the most positive with our Graham County Sheriff. I have a small example. I have expressed concerns several times regarding speeding traffic down our small neighborhood street. Each time, the sheriff responded with a friendly visit. He assured me he would do his best. I also contacted my district supervisor regarding the same issues. My supervisor arranged for the County Engineering Department to place vehicle/speed-tracking boxes (the kind you’ve seen with rubber tubing going across the street).
The top speed for the recorded week was a suicidal 91 mph in a residential, 25-mph zone. If this person had been caught by city police, I believe he or she would have been taken to jail with no questions asked.
My children have been narrowly missed by speeders more than once. After I became a “squeaky wheel,” deputies were sent to patrol our street. Some would sit for four minutes; some would sit up to 20. While observing them, I never saw radar guns placed on the dash. My neighbor confirmed the same thing when he went to speak with one of the deputies.
How are the officers going to stop and cite someone if they aren’t using any kind of speed detection? I do not ask that they park all day next to my house. I know they have a lot to do. But to this day, I have not seen anyone pulled over. If speeders do not have to pay out of pocket, they are not going to slow down.
Also, a friend of mine has flooded the sheriff’s office with calls regarding drug traffic in his neighborhood. No one has ever been sent to investigate. Those are only two examples of many first-person accounts with which I am familiar.
Being kind and courteous is a great rule to follow. However, we must not allow laws to be broken that place our families in danger in the name of courtesy. The job is being left undone. It is imperative that the job get done. I was told there is not enough help; more tax dollars are needed to hire more deputies; the territory is too large for the current staff; vehicles are getting too old; other crimes are a higher priority, etc.
My question to the public, including those running for office, is this: What should be done to resolve my (and others living outside city limits) concerns? We each have our own law enforcement needs in this county. The law should be upheld regardless of the level of crime. What does (or should) the current/next sheriff plan to do to address growing needs in the county to enforce current laws and respond to public pleas? Please post your comments online.
Marsha Petitt
Safford



Comments
147 comment(s)bluewaterpamela wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:02 AM:
At least he is trying to do his job, how many would want it. "
What The wrote on Nov 10, 2008 3:47 PM:
Old Marine wrote on Nov 8, 2008 10:20 AM:
Old Marine wrote on Nov 8, 2008 10:15 AM:
real2all1 wrote on Nov 7, 2008 3:36 PM:
mary Krieg wrote on Nov 7, 2008 1:35 PM:
Marsha Petitt wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:24 AM:
WAAATTTT wrote on Nov 5, 2008 1:27 PM:
Marsha Petitt wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:26 AM:
mashas nemesis wrote on Nov 5, 2008 12:27 AM:
Voted wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:13 PM:
Concerned wrote on Nov 4, 2008 5:41 PM:
Yes to Joe wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:16 PM:
YES TO JOE wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:42 AM:
NO TO JOE wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:41 AM:
What The wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:40 AM:
in the know wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:20 AM:
Concerned wrote on Nov 3, 2008 11:11 PM:
To concerned wrote on Nov 3, 2008 8:27 PM:
Concerned wrote on Nov 3, 2008 1:11 PM:
I agree with Marsha wrote on Nov 3, 2008 9:52 AM:
To General wrote on Nov 3, 2008 9:50 AM:
To General wrote on Nov 3, 2008 7:03 AM:
The General wrote on Nov 3, 2008 12:51 AM:
Concerned wrote on Oct 31, 2008 12:46 PM:
John wrote on Oct 31, 2008 12:06 PM:
To Concerned wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:35 AM:
Concerned wrote on Oct 30, 2008 5:14 PM:
To Concerned wrote on Oct 30, 2008 4:29 PM:
Harold wrote on Oct 30, 2008 1:37 PM:
Concerned wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:52 PM:
Hey concerned wrote on Oct 29, 2008 9:30 PM:
To Concerned wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:17 PM:
Concerned wrote on Oct 29, 2008 4:03 PM:
Marsha Petitt wrote on Oct 29, 2008 10:40 AM:
hughes wrote on Oct 29, 2008 8:41 AM:
WhatThe wrote on Oct 28, 2008 5:11 PM:
quit your complaining wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:40 PM:
To the person called Get Real wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:42 PM:
GET REAL wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:27 PM:
I Agree wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:53 PM:
I agree with you. I have also spoken to many officers....and not just SPD officers. They all supported PJ.
For those who don't know what to do ask any officer. They will let you know what they think and that is the best sign of who to vote for for me.
Get out and Vote PJ.... Nov. 4th "
What the wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:55 AM:
To a deputy wrote on Oct 26, 2008 6:40 PM:
Billabong wrote on Oct 25, 2008 5:41 PM:
PD vs SO wrote on Oct 25, 2008 7:18 AM:
Former Safford Resident wrote on Oct 25, 2008 2:05 AM:
Concerned wrote on Oct 24, 2008 9:55 PM:
To a Deputy wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:41 PM:
What are you afraid of?....Unless you really aren't one. "
Write wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:16 PM:
a Deputy wrote on Oct 24, 2008 1:53 PM:
To the deputy wrote on Oct 24, 2008 8:29 AM:
Just a thought wrote on Oct 24, 2008 7:01 AM:
me wrote on Oct 23, 2008 10:22 PM:
Are You Kidding wrote on Oct 23, 2008 7:02 PM:
Why make changes or put in any effort in when you already have full retirement and nothing to loose. Also we all know these comments are anoymous. I highly doubt A DEPUTY is really a deputy or he would use his real name. "
Out Of Town wrote on Oct 23, 2008 5:21 PM:
Out Of Town wrote on Oct 23, 2008 5:15 PM:
a deputy wrote on Oct 23, 2008 3:49 PM:
He also doesn't tell us not to write tickets, it's up to us. A good warning sometimes is better than a ticket a guy can't afford. If an officer doesn't have some discretion, then a monkey could do our job. Anyways vote for whoever, but know Sheriff Hughes isn't ordering us to break the law! "
To Marsha wrote on Oct 23, 2008 10:01 AM:
To Mark of the Beast wrote on Oct 22, 2008 8:41 PM:
Do some research and you will agree with me. "
Mark of the beast wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:52 PM:
Frank keep using gentleness and love and you will produce the right results.
You got my vote "
Voter wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:37 PM:
ALL fed up wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:11 PM:
Attention wrote on Oct 22, 2008 11:08 AM:
Yikes wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:30 AM:
Radar Guns wrote on Oct 22, 2008 2:50 AM:
Out of Town wrote on Oct 21, 2008 9:10 PM:
Dezdweller wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:22 PM:
That being said, I'm voting for PJ, though I sure hate to see a good cop turn politician.
I believe if you're jailed it sure shouldn't be a picnic - but if you know our laws all the folks in the jails are not yet convicted criminals, therefor shouldn't be treated like one, yet. "
Concerned wrote on Oct 21, 2008 2:03 PM:
Befuddled wrote on Oct 21, 2008 11:20 AM:
Time to speak wrote on Oct 21, 2008 11:19 AM:
What The wrote on Oct 21, 2008 10:56 AM:
jim wrote on Oct 21, 2008 10:21 AM:
Anti-Jami wrote on Oct 21, 2008 8:17 AM:
Lonestar wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:26 AM:
Marsha Petitt wrote on Oct 20, 2008 10:13 PM:
Pro Deputies wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:34 PM:
noticed wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:46 PM:
Bubba wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:38 PM:
Another Deputys Wife wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:22 PM:
Casting the first Stone wrote on Oct 20, 2008 4:14 PM:
Concerned wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:43 PM:
Really wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:41 PM:
Diamond The Dead Dog wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:28 PM:
Jamie wrote on Oct 20, 2008 2:05 PM:
Yikes wrote on Oct 20, 2008 1:56 PM:
A Deputys Wife wrote on Oct 20, 2008 11:47 AM:
Yikes wrote on Oct 20, 2008 9:28 AM:
fedup wrote on Oct 20, 2008 8:06 AM:
Enough already!! Time for change and I don't mean Obama! "
Concerned wrote on Oct 19, 2008 11:22 PM:
Lawman wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:04 PM:
To Concerned wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:33 PM:
Norm Johnson wrote on Oct 19, 2008 6:40 PM:
I do appreciate his Tent City Concept! It beats being in Iraq. And it shouldn't! "
Concerned wrote on Oct 19, 2008 5:47 PM:
Somone who knows wrote on Oct 19, 2008 10:07 AM:
Marsha Petitt wrote on Oct 19, 2008 8:10 AM:
Former Safford Resident wrote on Oct 18, 2008 11:08 PM:
quit your complaining wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:26 PM:
Out Of Town wrote on Oct 18, 2008 6:49 PM:
I dont know what you learned about being honorable while serving in the military! However, from your ignorent comments all I can infer is that you are a dishonorable scared little man. Come out from behind your guise and publicly say those things about Frank. You are making unproven accusations and contemptuous comments about a proud department that you obviously know NOTHING about. In short it is lible. Your constitutional rights don't protect you in the realm of slander. Prove what you say or shut up. Obviously our community has much more serious problems (you) than incumbent Law enforcement. "
Concerned wrote on Oct 18, 2008 4:59 PM:
Concerened wrote on Oct 18, 2008 2:51 PM:
Graham County Citizen wrote on Oct 18, 2008 2:47 PM:
Concerned wrote on Oct 18, 2008 11:21 AM:
Your comments are scary wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:54 AM:
J.B. wrote on Oct 18, 2008 9:33 AM:
Who Who Who wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:57 AM:
truth wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:54 AM:
uninspired, leader? You are saying just bbecause he has been doing it for so long we should keep him, come on!!! Vote for PJ and least give our county a cchance at positive change. "
HMMMMMMM wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:52 AM:
Politically Correct wrote on Oct 18, 2008 8:44 AM:
Stating the Facts wrote on Oct 18, 2008 4:18 AM:
Yikes wrote on Oct 18, 2008 12:32 AM:
Yikes wrote on Oct 18, 2008 12:13 AM:
SCARY ARTICLE wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:01 PM:
Out Of Town wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:27 PM:
Rational change suggests we go in a direction that makes sense. Going with PJ makes no sense. How can it be rational? Change has been my middle name adapting over a twenty two year career in the military to terrain and circumstances you can barely imagine. FIGHTING TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE YOUR VERY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS BLOG. So don't talk to me about being able to handle change. Look at yourself and ask "what did I do" when US citizens died on our turf in the most horrific way we have ever seen. "
Concerned wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:19 PM:
Concerned wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:34 PM:
whatyou talkinboutwillis wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:53 PM:
PJ's a nice guy, but he doesn't know the first thing about runnin' a SO. Plane simple fact is, Frank has and will continue to do his best with what he has. Do the smart thing and vote him in again. "
J.B. wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:09 PM:
WHAT THE wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:06 PM:
A tired citizen wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:54 AM:
Yikes wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:00 AM:
Politically Correct wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:38 AM:
Out Of TOWN wrote on Oct 16, 2008 10:44 PM:
Careful what you ask for it might come true. I remember wanting something to happen when I first deployed to Afghanistan "so I could shoot Hadji" but when it finally happened I was very sorry for what I asked for. Hadji was not nearly as bad as the horrible memories that followed the tragedies. So I say from experience "be careful what you ask for PJ is inexperienced enough to make it come true". We need the experience that Frank does provide. He is the right choice for a Job that no-one can do perfectly. "
Arizonan wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:48 PM:
However, just so Graham County knows, the jail is overcrowded, and the facilities are basically obselete. No matter who becomes Sheriff, will face these same issues: is in need of resources which the County doesn't have such as a new jail & more man power. "
Concerned wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:33 PM:
What the wrote on Oct 16, 2008 2:20 PM:
WE NEED SOMEONE wrote on Oct 16, 2008 12:15 PM:
Marsha Petitt wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:06 AM:
Hey Bill wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:02 AM:
to Bill wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:00 AM:
To Bill wrote on Oct 16, 2008 8:42 AM:
Marsha Petitt wrote on Oct 16, 2008 8:39 AM:
No Joe Here wrote on Oct 16, 2008 8:27 AM:
the truth wrote on Oct 16, 2008 8:16 AM:
Bill wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:03 PM:
Supervisor or Sheriff wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:38 PM:
PJ4Sheriff wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:35 PM:
I like PJ so far. We need the law enforced. Nice guys are good to have trick or treaters over, not for law enforcement.
PJ4Sheriff.com "
JARAM wrote on Oct 15, 2008 5:21 PM:
In Defense wrote on Oct 15, 2008 5:05 PM:
Politically Correct wrote on Oct 15, 2008 5:03 PM:
TommyC1 wrote on Oct 15, 2008 3:54 PM:
Need for Joe wrote on Oct 15, 2008 3:44 PM:
Need for Joe wrote on Oct 15, 2008 3:39 PM:
Part Truth wrote on Oct 15, 2008 2:30 PM:
to Marsha wrote on Oct 15, 2008 2:14 PM:
The Truth wrote on Oct 15, 2008 1:48 PM:
Politically Correct wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:38 PM:
Dirk Diggler wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:37 AM: