General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAs 2014 Begins, Toll Rises for "The Most Expensive Sheriff in America"
It's another year in paradise for the taxpayers of Maricopa County, Arizona, home of America's most famous sheriff, Joe Arpaio. On New Year's Day, The Arizona Republic reported that Sheriff Joe's unconstitutional antics over the yearsthe systemic racial profiling chronicled so meticulously last May by a federal judge, for examplehas cost his constituents another $21.9 million. That's on top of the tens of millions in other legal fees and penalties Arpaio already has cost the good people of his county during his 22-year reign there. From The Republic:
The $21.9 million estimate includes several big-ticket items:
Salaries and employee benefits to launch a seven-member unit to implement changes recommended by the court order, plus five vehicles, six computers, supplies and fuel for the unit.
An electronic data-entry system, cameras for all patrol vehicles, and training for deputies to use the system to input data detailing the reasons for and lengths of their traffic stops.
Salaries and benefits for enough new supervisors to assure effective supervision for patrol deputies. No more than 12 deputies will be assigned to each supervisor, per the court order. The county will pay for seven additional sergeants, three additional deputies, and all their equipment, stun guns and radios.
After fiscal 2015, additional changes ordered by the court will cost an estimated $10 million annually, mainly in salaries, benefits and overtime hours for additional staff.
In other words, as The Republic reports, by consistently and flagrantly violating the constitutional rights of his constituents, Arpaio has brought upon those constituents a level of federal oversight that is entirely unnecessary for hundreds of other sheriffs in Arizona and elsewhere. Sheriff Joe rails against this federal intrusion upon his county's autonomy-- a court-ordered monitor now is at hand-- even as his colleagues in office scramble to comply with their legal obligations. He plays the victimthe embattled symbol of sensible enforcementwhile the people he is supposed to protect are the ones who have to pay his bill.
more
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/01/as-2014-begins-toll-rises-for-the-most-expensive-sheriff-in-america/282885/
atreides1
(16,079 posts)They keep re-electing him, so they must like footing the bill for his fuck ups! Or they're just a group of stupid racist bigots?
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Since few wingnuts are actual fiscal conservatives, racism is going to win every time. You don't have to be a bigot to be a wingnut, but it's a great start.
Downwinder
(12,869 posts)Sheriff Joe has brought his Department an additional $21.9 million.
Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)MNBrewer
(8,462 posts)Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)JEB
(4,748 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Brigid
(17,621 posts)I just don't get it. And because of him, I wouldn't dream of moving there. What am I missing here?
ScreamingMeemie
(68,918 posts)Their words, not mine.
Brigid
(17,621 posts)Right?