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****************************************************************************************************** Pinal County Sheriff’s Update - 87th Installment - April, 2008 To The Citizens of Pinal County; “To be prepared is half the victory.” -- Miguel de Cervantes September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina put a whole new spin on how heightened our awareness as to what really needs to be done to prepare for the unexpected. These events forced us to refocus on a methodology for developing an effective continuity-of-operations plan to meet any eventuality. The very thought of any kind of "planning" related to disasters, terrorist attacks or a possible flu pandemic may seem the work of pessimists. However, in the aftermath of these events, it has become very clear that every organization, government or private business must have plans in place to guide its activities in the wake of even the most unforeseen of events. Under any circumstance, government, especially law enforcement, need to be able to ensure the safety of their employees and the ability to continue to provide the necessary services to its citizens. After Katrina hit New Orleans, it is estimated that the city lost more than half it police force with no plans in place to provide security for its citizens. Recently, the National Sheriffs’ Association picked the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office as one of three agencies out of 3,000 nationwide to develop a Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP). The NSA picked a small, medium and large Sheriff’s Office to develop a COOP. Once completed, these plans will be used in training and as models for other Sheriff’s Office to follow in developing theirs. However, a COOP is nothing new to government. A Continuity of Operations Plan (or Continuity of Government Plan) has been a part of government operations since at least the Cold War, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower provided by executive order various measures which were supposed to ensure that the government of the United States would be able to continue in case of nuclear war. For many years these plans were kept tightly under wraps, partly out of the consideration that detailed knowledge of these plans would enable the Soviet Union to more effectively launch a nuclear attack and partly out of concern for the public panic which could follow a revelation that their government was busily planning for a nuclear attack by the Russians. These plans were considered less important after the end of the Cold War but regained some prominence after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when speculation arose that terrorists could destroy significant parts of the government in a short space of time. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) fulfills its responsibility to act as first responders to the unincorporated areas of Pinal County. Also, to maintain and run at 1,500 bed Adult Detention Facility that houses those arrested and charged with various crimes. PCSO’s COOP Plan is being developed to ensure continuity of essential operational and administrative functions for a wide range of emergencies and circumstances. The primary objective of the COOP Plan, in keeping with the mission of PCSO, is to provide for seamless operation of the agency and ensure public safety. Those individuals with a stake in this plan are you, the public at large, staff, and other stakeholders, such as the various court systems we serve. Once completed, the COOP Plan will be available any time that a natural disaster, flu pandemic or terrorist attack occurs or any other State of Emergency is declared by the Governor or his/her designee. Specific circumstances under which the PCSO COOP Plan could be used include, but are not limited to, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, large scale medical emergencies and sustained loss of power and/or utilities. Our COOP will define a need to clearly define orders of succession in all of the department’s “essential function” areas. The PCSO is fortunate and unique in that we have identified several locations around the county we can use should our main operations center become disabled. The key elements of COOP planning for PCSO are continuity of command, maintaining organizational structure and continuation of essential services which include the areas of security of the inmates in the detention center, critical public safety functions, and physical plant operation. The COOP Plan, in combination with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the emergency management policies and strategies of PCSO will provide for a clearly defined chain of command for departmental and facility operations, guidelines and potential resources to prevent interruption of essential services, and procedural guidelines for all aspects of emergency management from initial activation of emergency response through the return to normal operations. Rest assured that in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or a large scale medical emergency, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office will be ready to respond in a fast, professional manner. Thank you and until next month, God Bless - Chris Vásquez - Sheriff ****************************************************************************************************** Pinal County Sheriff’s
Update - 86th Installment - March, 2008
- To the Citizen’s of Pinal County; Shortly after I was appointed your Sheriff in 2005, I felt it important that I learn about the Office of Sheriff, its history and what it means to be a Sheriff. I want to share with you what I learned. In 1941, Walter H. Anderson, a prominent attorney of the Idaho, California and Tennessee state Bar and U.S. Supreme Court Bar, wrote “A Treatise on The Law of Sheriffs,” which has become the foremost legal authority on the subject of Sheriffs. Mr. Anderson wrote, "The Sheriff's primary obligation is to represent the sovereignty, authority and interests of the state in his respective jurisdiction, whereas the police department represents the interests of the local jurisdiction. In preserving the rights of the government, the Sheriff represents the sovereignty of the state and has no superior in his county.” But today, perhaps more than ever before in history, law enforcement is faced with complex, moving and rapid changes in methodology, technology and social attitudes. Thomas Jefferson wrote in his "The Value of Constitutions," "The Office of Sheriff is the most important of all the executive offices of the county." Historians tell us that Sheriffs have served and protected the English-speaking peoples for a thousand years. They tell how the Office of Sheriff dates back at least to the reign of Alfred the Great of England and some scholars even argue that the Office of Sheriff was first created during the Roman occupation of England. Around 500 A.D., Germanic tribes from Europe (called the Anglo-Saxons) began an invasion of Celtic England which eventually led over the centuries to the consolidation of Anglo-Saxon England as United Kingdom under Alfred the Great late in the 9th Century. Alfred divided England into geographic units called "shires," or counties. In 1066, William the Conqueror defeated the Anglo-Saxons and instituted his own Normans. Both under the Anglo-Saxons and under the Normans, the King of England appointed a representative called a "reeve" to act on behalf of the King in each shire or county. The "shire-reeve" or King's representative in each county became the "Sheriff" as the English language changed over the years. The shire-reeve or Sheriff was the chief law enforcement officer of each county in the year 1000 A.D. Remember the Tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men being chased by none other than the Sheriff of Nottingham? In the story of Robin Hood, the Sheriff of Nottingham, besides enforcing the law, was responsible for collecting the King’s taxes. The concepts of "county" and "Sheriff" were essentially
the same as they had been during the previous 900 years of English legal
history. Clearly, the Sheriff is the only viable officer remaining of the ancient offices, and his contemporary responsibility as conservator of the peace has been influenced greatly by modern society. As the crossbow gave way to the primitive flintlock the Office of Sheriff is not unaccustomed to change. Despite dissatisfaction with most other forms of English administration, after the American Revolution all of the American states provided for the maintenance of the Office of Sheriff. Through constitutional provisions and charters, the sheriff was vested with the authority to act as an executive of the state within their respective counties. As a result, the sheriff is the highest governmental official within county government. It is said, “The Office of Sheriff is one of antiquity.” As I mentioned above the Office of Sheriff is the oldest law enforcement office known within the common-law system. It has always been accorded great dignity and high trust. For the most part, the Office of Sheriff evolved out of necessity. Were it not for laws which require enforcing, there would have been no necessity for the Sheriff. There would have been no need for development of police administration, criminology, or criminalists. We as a people learned from the beginning of time that all is not good in our world. There have always been those who covet the property of their neighbors and who are willing to take this property by any means. As such, man's quest for peace and order gave birth to the Office of Sheriff, the history of which some believe begins in the Old Testament and continues through annals of Judeo-Christian tradition. Indeed, there is no honorable law enforcement authority in Anglo-American law as ancient as that of the County Sheriff. And today, as in the past, the County Sheriff is a peace officer entrusted with the maintenance of law and order and the preservation of domestic tranquility. Today, the Office of Sheriff has changed only slightly from its medieval origins. The sheriff still retains ancient duties to preserve the peace and execute the law through the exercise of power as an officer of the sovereign government. The Office of Sheriff is still the chief law enforcement officer of the county, although the growth of local police departments has shifted some of the sheriff's responsibilities. Most importantly, the Office of Sheriff has not lost the dignity it has enjoyed since its inception. Like their middle Ages counterpart, the Office of Sheriff today must continue to hold the respect and dignity of the office. The sheriffs of Pinal County began when Pinal County was created on February 1, 1875, from portions of Pima and Maricopa Counties. Pinal County’s first sheriff was Michael Rogers serving from 1875 to 1876. Since Sheriff Rogers there have been 22 Sheriffs elected or appointed to hold the office, including myself. Pinal County’s second sheriff William Tuttle held the office the shortest time at only three weeks, dying shortly after being appointed. The sheriff to hold office the longest at 24 years is Sheriff Frank Reyes who served from 1977, one year after I started my law enforcement career, to 2000. When Sheriff Reyes was in office the Sheriff’s Office had an annual budget of five million dollars and a staff of 234 including certified deputies, detention officers and support personnel. Today the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has about 245 certified deputies alone. The Sheriff’s Office total staff of deputies, detention officers, support staff and volunteers totals more than 700 members. I just thought you might enjoy some of the facts that I discovered when researching the history of the Sheriff’s Office. Thank you and until next month, God Bless - Chris Vasquez - Sheriff ****************************************************************************************************** Pinal County Sheriff’s Update - 85th Installment - February, 2008 - To The Citizens of Pinal County; Over the past several years illegal immigration has been an issue of great debate around the country. Some law enforcement agencies take the stance that enforcing immigration law is the job of the Federal Government and that local law enforcement does not have the authority to enforce those laws. To some degree, up until about September of 1996, this was true. However, Congress added Section 287 (g) to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. Section 287 (g) authorizes the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enter into written agreements (MOUs) with state and local law enforcement agencies. The written agreement permits certified law enforcement officers to perform select immigration law enforcement functions. The purpose of the 287 (g) agreement is generally designed to identify serious and violent criminal alien violators involved in violent crimes, human smuggling, gang/organized crime activity, narcotics smuggling and money laundering for potential deportation. The Federal MOU defines the scope and limitation of the authority to be designated to local law enforcement. Once an agreement is entered into with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) peace officers received about five weeks of training on how to determine whether a person is in the United States legally or not, also, how to enforce the immigration laws without racial profiling. Once trained the peace officer receives an official certification from ICE called “287 (g) Authority.” The certified peace officer then may question and detain individuals for potential removal from the United States if the individuals are identified as criminal illegal aliens who pose a significant threat to national security or public safety. Over the past year my staff and I have had several meetings with Alonzo R. Pena, Special Agent in Charge of the Arizona ICE Office, and his staff to offer the 287 (g) certification to my deputies and detention officers. This will be accomplished sometime in the future. I am told by his staff that we are on a waiting list to bring this training to Pinal County. The main hold-up is the lack of funding and trainers to provide the training. My goal is to train as many deputies and detention officers at possible. About six months ago I met with Troy Henley, Deputy Special Agent in Charge, about ICE’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) and the possibility of bringing the task force to Pinal County and assigning some deputies to assist in accomplishing its mission of apprehending those illegal aliens who commit violent crimes, human smuggling, gang/organized crime activity, narcotics smuggling, and money laundering in Pinal County or do so while passing through Pinal County. It is my desire to make this happen. Currently ICE’s request to fund and bring the task force to Pinal County is working its way through the powers that be in Washington, D.C. Currently the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office written policy on dealing with immigration issues is when a deputy during the course of a criminal investigation, or criminal traffic stop may inquire into a person’s immigration status. If it is determined the person is an illegal alien they will be detained for Border Patrol to deport to their country of origin. If the person is arrested for violating Arizona criminal law, they will be booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Facility to face those charges with a hold for Border Patrol for deportation. The Sheriff’s Office will investigate all complaints of a potential drop house. Should a drop house be located and there is enough evidence to show human smuggling, arrests will be made. The United States Attorney General rendered an opinion about a United States Supreme Court decision, Muehler v. Mena dealing in part with police asking a person about their immigration status. The Attorney General’s opinion is the Supreme Court’s intent is that local police officers can ask a person their legal status during a legal criminal investigation or criminal traffic stop. It is the opinion of the Attorney General that local law enforcement cannot inquire as to immigration status in any other cases. The enforcement of immigration laws at the local level presents many legal challenges for local law enforcement. It is unclear as to what extent law enforcement may go in enforcing immigration laws. I mentioned the Attorney General’s opinion above and have read the Supreme Court case myself and do not understand how he came up with his opinion. Also, the other challenge is to enforce the laws without racial profiling, which could lead to costly lawsuits. To that end, I am sending Deputy Chief Clinton Lee to a four-day seminar on immigration issues as it relates to local law enforcement. When enforcing immigration laws, the Sheriff’s Office will do it correctly. Until next month, may God Bless. - Chris Vásquez – Sheriff - Pinal County is not and will not become a sanctuary county. ****************************************************************************************************** Special Bulletin
Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez, left, accepts a limited edition photograph from Leland Wilson, president emeritus of the Gold Canyon Arts Council. January 11, 2008 Photo is Thumbnail - CLICK to enlarge In celebration of their Jan. 26 Canyon Arts Festival, the Gold Canyon Arts Council gifted Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez with a limited edition commemorative poster at their Jan. 9 meeting in Mountainbrook Village. The Arts Council hosts the Arts Festival every January to promote the arts and artists in Gold Canyon. Council President Emeritus Leland Wilson presented Sheriff Vasquez with photographer Michael Clivner’s “Cholla with Birds Nest” poster, which was taken just outside of the Superstition Mountain Museum. Wilson commended the Sheriff’s efforts in the county. “We wanted to give this to you because of your unending support of the Canyon Arts Festival,” Wilson explained to Sheriff Vasquez. “But more importantly, we wanted to give it to you to show appreciation for everything that you do in the county and in our community.” Sheriff Vasquez admired the beauty of the pristine desert scene, noting that it will help remind him not to take the landscape of his home state for granted. This was something the Gold Canyon photographer was trying to accomplish with the picture. “This photograph captures the unending beauty and wonder of Pinal County,” Sheriff Vasquez said. “I am grateful to the Gold Canyon Arts Council for what they do to promote the arts in the county and honored to be recognized by the group. Vanessa White - Public Information Officer - Pinal County Sheriff's Office ****************************************************************************************************** Pinal County Sheriff’s Update - 84th Installment - January, 2008 - To The Citizens of Pinal County; The price for salvage copper is on the rise and so is the number of copper thefts; not only in Pinal County, but all across the United States. Recent theft of copper in Pinal County is having a profound effect on our agricultural community, public utility companies, private companies and municipalities. In one copper theft case the thieves caused the city of Coolidge to suffer a blackout in over half the city. During the high school football season this year a game in Maricopa County had to be postponed as thieves stole the copper from the stadium lights. In another case in Maricopa County a farmer lost his entire crop not only for the year, but also the following year from damage done to his irrigation pumps. A copper thief may only get a few hundred dollars from a farmer’s pump; however, the dollars associated with the amount of damage and losses stemming from their inability to water crops are in the thousands each time a theft occurs. Annually, it is estimated copper thieves cause more than $10 million in losses in Pinal County alone and more than $50 million across Arizona. What the thieves do not understand, or care about, is the hazardous situation they are causing for themselves and for citizens. Over the past year there have been several deaths from electrocution in their attempts to steal the copper wire. Also, they are exposing themselves to dangerous cancer causing chemicals that over time could have deadly consequences. However, most of the copper thieves are meth users who obviously have no regard for their own body anyway. The increased thefts have prompted Pinal County farmers to establish an anti-copper wire theft committee. The committee is headed by area farmer Jimmy Bechtel. During the legislative year in 2006, Coolidge Police Chief James Palmer and I worked closely with Mr. Bechtel to get lawmakers to make the stolen scrap harder to sell by imposing stricter penalties for those involved. The legislation is aimed at reducing the ease of converting stolen copper to cash by requiring tighter identification requirements for those selling copper. The law requires scrap metal dealers to keep a record of the purchases, a photocopy of the seller’s driver license and fingerprints and validation of recorded information by using a driver license or photo identification card. The law also requires a later payment by check for scrap metal. This legislation is good, but it is not enough. It is only a start. In the upcoming legislative session lawmakers must strengthen the law even more. The penalties for scrap metal dealers who do not comply with the law must be raised to a felony with stiffer fines. The law must include a surcharge, paid by the seller, which is to be used to establish multi agency Copper Theft Task Forces in those counties hit the hardest by thieves. The task force can consist of peace officers from various agencies and a special prosecutor to oversee cases. The task force will be responsible for the apprehension of thieves and conducting audits of scrap metal dealers to ensure compliance with the law. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, and the police departments of Eloy, Coolidge and Florence, have stepped up efforts to apprehend copper thieves by making several arrests. However, we are faced with many challenges. For example, once arrested, those same criminals are back in the community, as they are able to make bail only to pick up where they left off. The theft of copper wire affects us all. Please contact your legislature and encourage them to support any new legislation that strengthens laws that govern the sale of scrap metal to give law enforcement the tools we need to combat this problem. Thank you and until next month, God Bless Chris Vásquez - Sheriff ****************************************************************************************************** Pinal County Sheriff’s Update - 83rd Installment - December, 2007 - To The Citizens of Pinal County; “Greater love hath no man than this. That he lay down his life for his fellow man.” John - 15:13KJV On November 1, 2007, an estimated 500 hundred law enforcement officials from around Arizona came to Casa Grande to pay last respects and escort one of their own, Sergeant Tate Lynch, a Casa Grande Peace Officer, to his final resting place. Many of those who attended knew Sgt. Lynch by name only. Except for firefighters and the military, no other profession turns out to honor the life and death of someone they have never met. They attended because they were bound by a common vocation, which is more than just a job, or a career, or a profession. We all have something in common, as we leave for duty we hug our children and kiss our spouses, we wonder will it be our last. Sgt. Lynch was a member of the Pinal County Sheriff’s SWAT Team for more than two years. During that time I had only spoken to him a few times, mostly in passing with a polite greeting of, “Hi, how are you?” As I sat in the church listening to his family and friends talk about the man, Sgt. Lynch, I felt a loss of not getting to know him better. His family and friends called him “a man of character,” “a true Christian,” and “that he was truly Christ like.” Tate knew his role in life- a Christian first, a family man second and a peace officer third. Tate believed he was called to be a peace officer to serve the people and he approached his job with that attitude. Tate, in the eyes of his family and fellow peace officers is a hero, although he never really set out to be one. He loved his life as much as we love ours. He had a place in the world, a family waiting and friends to see again. He thought of the future just as we do, with plans and hopes for a long life. But he left it all behind when he reported for duty on October 25th and parted with it forever when he died. During National Peace Officer Week in May of 2008, we will gather at the new Pinal County Peace Officer Memorial and the Arizona Peace Officer Memorial in Phoenix to once again honor Tate along with others whom he joins. We hope to understand the extent of our loss and the meaning of the sacrifice he made. It’s more than words can ever express. In the end, all we can do is be thankful to have known him; all we can do is remember and always appreciate the price that was paid for our own lives, our own freedom and our safety. Tate lived as a peace officer so that when wrong was done, justice would be served. He trained and worked to protect children from predators, to eradicate drugs from his community, to track down dangerous gang members, to bring justice to victims and to make Casa Grande and Pinal County a safer place. Like the many who attended his services he chose to serve as a peace officer, as a guardian of freedom. Tate’s death must remind us that we must never take our safety for granted and that our cherished freedoms do not come without a price. His death should serve as a vivid reminder of the dangers we face, both enforcing the law and in training, and why we chose this profession. I am privileged – and proud – that Sgt. Tate Lynch chose our profession, to stand beside us as a member of our SWAT Team. I will always remember and be inspired by the example he has given, and by the legacy he leaves behind. His spirit remains, forever imprinted in our minds and our hearts. Sgt. Tate Lynch, whether you set out to be a hero or not, you are a hero to me and many others. I firmly believe when you entered the Kingdom of Heaven, God greeted you from His throne, God looked at you with love in His eyes and said, “Job well done my good and faithful servant.” “Enter for I have prepared a mansion for you.” I would like to close with Tate’s favorite bible scripture: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9 Thank you and until next month, God Bless. - Chris Vásquez - Sheriff Pinal County ****************************************************************************************************** Pinal County Sheriff’s Update - 82nd Installment - November, 2007 - To The Citizens of Pinal County; "There’s no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” - Ronald Reagan Our Chief Deputy Jerald Monahan just returned as a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Virginia. He received invaluable training that he brought back to the Sheriff’s Office. I have asked Chief Monahan to share some of his insight with you the citizens by writing this month’s letter. Thank you and until next month, God Bless. - Chris Vásquez - Sheriff Pinal County Leadership is being a Servant to Others Leadership is difficult to describe. It is said to be the ability to influence others, but most people today would agree that leadership is much more. Leadership is about character, competence, and courage. It is about defining the future, and then seeing that the path to that future is not only created but followed. It does involve influencing others, as in any organization, because the mission is accomplished not by one, but by all. The leader, as the person selected by the people whom he or she serves, has the responsibility, the duty, to oversee the establishment of the mission and the vision of the organization. Leadership can also be present and exercised at all levels within an organization. Ralph Nader points out that one function of leadership is to produce more leaders. Today's leaders would be wise to identify and then mentor others who can also lead no matter at what level in the organization they are. Leadership is displayed by those who have formal titles and positions as well as by those who do not. According to noted leadership authority, John Maxwell (1997), by developing other leaders, the influence of the leader is raised to a new level. The personal potential of the new leader is raised as well. Resources are multiplied in the development of new leaders and a positive future for the organization is ensured. All of this can contribute to the mission and vision of the organization and help it stay on course for the future. At the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Chris Vasquez follows this philosophy of leadership development. He is sending his command staff to leadership development courses provided by the Arizona Peace Officer's Standards and Training Board. The department is pursuing plans in the near future to host the commander's course offered by the University of Louisville, Southern Police Institute. The FBI National Academy has just accepted the application of Lt. Harry Grizzle to attend a future session, which will add to the current members who have graduated from this prestigious law enforcement leadership development course. Lt. Grizzle will join Commander Jeffrey Karns and me as graduates. Exposure to the concepts of managing and leading a Sheriff's Office in today's organizational climate is crucial to insuring that the leadership at the Pinal County Sheriff's Office is functioning in the most efficient and effective way possible. One such concept that should be grasped by leaders is a major duty of leadership is to be a resource to their staff. The staff in the field, behind the counters and desks, and in the jail pods at the adult detention center all know how to do their jobs. They must be provided with the necessary resources and support to continually perform those duties that provide public safety service to the people within Pinal County. After providing the resources for staff to do the job, which includes adequate training, staff must be trusted to carry out those duties in a competent manner. Michael Durant, the Blackhawk helicopter pilot who survived after being shot down in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993, stated that American lives were lost during that military operation because tactical decisions were being made in Washington instead of by the operational commanders in Somalia. While leaders are responsible for making the decisions that lead to staff actions in the field, those operations must be carried out by the staff actually in the field. They see the circumstances and must be trusted to adjust accordingly based on the resources and direction already provided by the organization's leader. Leaders prepare their people and then offer support while they perform the duties and tasks that make up public safety services. John Buchan stated, "The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there." Over the employee entrance door at the Pinal County Sheriff's Office headquarters in Florence, it is written: "Through these doors walk Pinal County’s Finest." The men and women of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office are quality public servants, who have talent, skill, courage and integrity. While the Sheriff and his command staff are responsible for leading the department into the future, the actions of the staff on a day to day basis carry out the service of public safety to the community. In considering how a leader is to be and provide resources to their staff, James Autry (1998) in his book about servant leadership, states that one of the most important things that a leader can be is useful. Being useful means insuring that staff who are doing the tasks day in and day out, have the resources necessary to do the job. Autry goes on to offer six things he believes about leadership in considering the concept that leadership is about serving others; leadership is not about controlling people; it’s about caring for people. It is not about being the boss; it is about being present for people and building a community at work; it is not about holding on to territory; it is about letting go of ego, bringing your spirit to work, being you’re best and most authentic self. Leadership is less concerned about the place where we work and more concerned with finding meaning in the work. Leadership is about paying attention, and leadership requires love (Autry, 2001). After spending this past summer attending the FBI National Academy, 230th Session, and listening to my classmates from all over the United States and the world discuss contemporary police issues and the possible solutions to them, I must state that I agree with Autry's thoughts on what leadership is and is supposed to accomplish. The attitude and behavior of the organization's leaders have the potential to affect the organization more than any other single factor. The center piece of leadership, and the trait that hold up all the others is, character. I count myself very fortunate indeed to be a part of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office where many of the solutions to public safety problems and issues are being practiced during this time of growth. The leadership at the Sheriff's Office is second to none and the citizens can be proud of the direction that their Sheriff's Office is going. Challenges lie ahead for this growing agency, but the spirit and integrity of the staff, and the make-up of its leadership will see it through whatever difficulties are ahead. Jerald Manahan - Chief Deputy - Pinal County Sheriff’s Office ****************************************************************************************************** Pinal County Sheriff’s Update - 81st Installment - October, 2007 - To The Citizens of Pinal County; Considering the fact that October is designated as Nation Domestic Violence Awareness month, I would like to re-print an article that I put out to the citizens several months ago on this very important issue: "Domestic violence causes far more pain than the visible marks of bruises and scars. It is devastating to be abused by someone that you love and think loves you in return.”Dianne Feinstein, (U.S. Senator from California) October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. What we must never forget is that across our country, domestic violence traumatizes victims, endangers children, harms families, and threatens communities. According to the most recent report from the Department of Justice, there is an average of 700,000 incidents of domestic violence reported each year. Approximately one-third of women who are murdered each year are killed by their current or former husband or partner. Children who are subjected to domestic violence too often grow up to inflict violence on others, creating a cycle of violence that must be stopped. For centuries no one talked about it, no one admitted to witnessing it no one did anything to prevent it. I recently read a very frightening statistic. During the Vietnam War 58,000 American soldiers were killed. As with those who have died in other conflicts, memorials are put up in their honor. But during the same period, between 30,000 and 54,000 American women were killed in their homes. Why was this war against women allowed to continue? Violence by male partners is the single largest cause of injury to women - more than muggings and car accidents combined. Yet violence against women has remained largely unreported. However, thanks largely to the activities of voluntary women's organizations; today that is changing. Domestic abuse knows no social economic class, race, age or geographical boundaries. Every women and child in every area of the world can be a victim. It is the most graphic symptom of the imbalance of power in the relationship between men and women. We must continue to renew our commitment to prevent and punish the perpetrators of this despicable crime and bring hope and healing to those affected by it. In some communities across our country, law enforcement, medical, and legal services for domestic violence victims are fragmented, requiring victims to travel to several different places to receive the help and treatment they need. Comprehensive service centers for domestic violence victims and their dependents enable health and justice professionals to better serve those in need. Local nonprofit programs such as Against Abuse of Casa Grande and Community Alliance Against Family Abuse of Apache Junction also offer critical assistance and support to victims in need -- help that may not otherwise be available. To help stop this cycle of violence, in Partnership with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office applied for and received a $500,000 grant from the Federal Government for domestic violence issues. This grant will allow the Sheriff’s Office to hire two full-time detectives to investigate incidents of domestic violence, pay half the salary of a Pinal County Attorney to prosecute domestic violence cases, purchase a van and provide the salary for a driver to be given to the Against Abuse of Casa Grande, $3,500 towards the Pinal County Domestic Violence Coalition’s annual conference and $2,500 towards the Eastern Regional Domestic Violence Coalition’s annual conference. On behalf of families and communities across Pinal County, I call on all citizens to help raise public awareness about how to prevent, recognize, and stop domestic violence. I applaud the commitment of all those who are helping to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors and their families. Working together, we can continue to find better solutions to this national problem. Let’s take a stand to stop the cycle of violence. Let’s take a stand to bring aggressors to justice, and bring help and healing for their victims. Thank you and until next month, God Bless. - Chris Vásquez - Sheriff Pinal County
****************************************************************************************************** Pinal Country Sheriff Chris Vasquez will be hosting the first annual "Pinal County Sheriff's Parade for Toys", on Dec 1st. The Parade will start at 9:00 am and begin at the Walgreens intersection at Johnson Ranch Blvd. The Parade will end at Walker Butte school. Following the parade, the 5th annual Winterfest will begin. People are asked to bring a toy to the parade and the Sheriff's Pose Members will be walking the parade route, collecting toys and giving back a ticket per toy. The tickets can be filled out with a name and phone number and dropped off at Winterfest or Johnson Utilities and the names will go into a drawing for 3 months of free water bills. If you don't make it to the parade a toy can be dropped off at various business locations or at Johnson Utilities and you will get your name into the drawing. The toys stay in the San Tan Area and are given to needy children in our communities. If you would like to be in the parade go to
www.santanholidayfestival.com or
www.hotspotjournal.com and click on the parade application. Entry into the
parade is $25.00 or a toy (toys) worth $25.00. Bring the entire family and enjoy the festivities. Come on out to the "San Tan Area Sheriff Vasquez Parade for Toys!" Michael Minter - Public Information Officer - Work #(520) 866-5148
****************************************************************************************************** To The Citizens of Pinal County; Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. Lao Tzu In the February edition I touched on gangs and the violence associated with them in a very general sense. This month I feel compelled to address the issue in a very specific and personal way. The scourge of gang violence in our communities in parts of Pinal County has once again reared its ugly head. In the past year there have been at least 30 confirmed gang related acts of violence that has resulted in 3 homicides. This is Pinal County, not Los Angeles or Phoenix and it is completely unacceptable. This problem isn’t going to just go away; we have to do something to make it stop. Gangs and the violence that follows must be approached from all sides. Law enforcement can’t do it alone, we need help. Help from you, the citizens. We need your help as parents, neighbors, volunteers, employers, mentors, and friends. Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a series of community gatherings sponsored by the clergy in three of the communities hit the hardest by gang violence. Law enforcement officials from all of these communities came together on several nights with the citizens to brainstorm what things we can do to make a difference. The one message that came through loud and clear was something that I have always believed in my heart; it takes a village to raise a child. As your Sheriff, I am asking you to be part of that village. Learn to recognize the signs of gang involvement in your children. Talk to them, know where they are, who their friends are, be involved in their lives. Be aware if they change their clothing, friends, attitude or if their grades take a sudden dip. Take the time to get to know your neighbors so you can talk to one another when something looks out of place or just doesn’t seem right. A lot of good ideas came out of our brainstorming sessions and I am actively looking into how I can support and advance many of them. We are still moving forward with the implementation of the graffiti abatement program and I have asked the board of supervisors to fund the purchase of a graffiti removal machine. The immediate identification/removal of graffiti is just one of the very best strategies in sending the message that gangs won’t be tolerated in our neighborhoods. In addition, I continue to have deputies assigned to our schools on a full time basis so there is positive interaction between our youth and the police. Even though I need more deputies to raise the level of service to you, I remain steadfast in my commitment to having them in our schools. It cannot be overstated that it is our youth that we must save. We know from talking to ex-gang members exactly how gangs recruit. We also know from those same individuals how to circumvent those attempts and it starts at home, in church, in school and in the community. On the enforcement side, I continue to stay committed to being proactive in this fight against violence. As I reported in February, I have two deputies assigned full-time to the State Gang Task Force (GITEM). The southern Arizona region of GITEM is made up of four separate units assigned to Tucson (2), Yuma, and Pinal County. As of last month, the detectives from every single one of those units is temporarily assigned to Pinal County exclusively. One of the reasons for this is because I along with the leadership of the law enforcement community believe we can make a difference here. In fact, there is a dedicated gang hotline for the entire state, that number is 1-800-NO-GANGS. As I said before, this is Pinal County and we don’t have a lifelong history of gangs like some of the other metropolitan areas do. We really can take back our communities if we come together and take action now. But it takes all of us working in concert to make that happen. I need you to pick up the phone when you see something. It’s not “snitching” or “ratting” on someone, it’s protecting our community. This is our community, we live here, our families are here and we’re not leaving, they are. Thank you and until next month, God Bless. Chris Vásquez - Sheriff Pinal County Sheriff’s note: It was brought to my attention by one of the employees at the Sheriff’s Office that in one of my previous letters, I inadvertently omitted credit to an author for quotes that I had used. That author’s name is Thomas Lifson. I would like to personally thank Mr. Lifson for his permission to quote him, and also the employee that brought this to my attention. Michael Minter - Public Information Officer - Work #(520) 866-5148
****************************************************************************************************** Pinal County Sheriff’s Update - 79th Installment - August, 2007
To The Citizens of Pinal County; Not so long ago the biggest problem kids faced was getting a flat tire on their bikes or having a mean teacher assign homework over the weekend. How times have changed. Who would have guessed that one of the perennial stories over the last several years would be kids killing kids? Each time we hear about gunshots on a high school campus we are once again reminded that we are living in a different world. The body count from teen murders causes us to shake our heads and wonder what is going on. In some cases the shooters are teenagers with elaborate plans and evil desires. But sometimes the hail of bullets comes from impulsive kids as young as eleven years old. At one time gangland battles between the Bloods and the Crips reminded us that life in the inner city was hard and ruthless. But the latest battlegrounds have not been Watts, or the Bronx. These violent confrontations have taken place in rural, idyllic towns with names like Pearl, Mississippi and Paducah, Kentucky, Jonesboro, Arkansas, Littleton, Colorado and Queen Creek (Johnson Ranch), Arizona. We as a peaceful society are shocked and surprised. We open our newspapers or watch the evening news to see the faces of kids caught up in the occult and we wonder how they were attracted to such evil. We open those newspapers again and we see youthful baby faces charged with five counts of murder and we wonder if they even understood what they were doing. Killer kids. They seem to be everywhere these days. Probably no group in America today inspires more fear than the teenage killers regularly featured on the evening news. What many find most frightening about these young murderers is that their crimes seem so senseless and random. Thus after each bizarre slaying, we ask ourselves, why? Sometimes we blame a movie as in the Lillelid family massacre in Johnson City, Tenn., said to have been inspired by Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers." Sometimes we blame the gun: “If only the teenager hadn't had one, this would not have happened.” Sometimes we blame the violence and gore in video games. We have also blamed rock and rap lyrics, the board game Dungeons and Dragons and the Internet. But what really is going on in the mind of a child or teen who kills?This is one of the puzzles we as a society must struggle with if we are to understand how to find a solution to child murderers. Politicians would have us believe that if we can pass new and better laws, we can cut down on juvenile crime. I personally believe this is not the case. We must first understand what it is that leads a teenager to kill in the first place before we can go on to the next step towards a solution to juvenile violence. Is there a new breed of kids who are bred with a gene for violence or is it today's society that plays a part in exacerbating the traits these "bad seeds" already have? Some believe in the bad seed theory, that kids who are violent are just "no darn good.” When it comes to school killers and other rampage type of crimes I do not believe in the bad seed theory. Behind these quiet, unemotional faces, there has to be more brewing than meets the eye. It is almost impossible for us to look into a child's eyes and see them committing the ultimate crime - cold-blooded murder. No one wants to consider the possibility that a child could kill. Schools and the mental health community often don’t have the adequate resources to address the signs of this behavior, and unfortunately law enforcement has to become involved after it is too late. Kids do kill, and with alarming frequency. There is one responsible entity to which all the others must turn for help: parents must be involved! Today's parents are bombarded with wildly varied, and often conflicting, advice. What was once accepted wisdom for our parents is not necessarily so today. Some experts assert that part of the problem as "too much of a good thing" parenting. In an effort to express our love for our children we shower them with unwarranted praise, material goods, and excessive protection from disappointment and are often blinded to their ill behavior. Some parents have been brainwashed to believe it is wrong to expect our children to be responsible for their actions, their treatment of others, or even their treatment of us, their parents. I have seen it at the earliest ages: toddlers hurt others and aren't disciplined by their parents, leaving it up to daycare providers. When the providers relay the behavior to the parent, the parent makes excuses: "Well, he never does that at home," or "She is just acting her age." I have experienced in my law enforcement career when a child is detained for a criminal act, parents often berate us for arresting their child. “You are picking on my child, or we are profiling.” This lack of accountability by the child and the parents may continue as the child passes through the school system, and if left unchallenged, may wind up in violence. We as a society must do whatever it takes to stop youth violence. Although the solution begins at home with the parents, mental health providers, educators, social services, churches, judicial system, probation and law enforcement must also do their part in stopping kids from killing. We simply cannot continue to loose any more Amber Hess’. Until next month, God Bless
****************************************************************************************************** SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1“Bitter are the
tears of a child: Sweeten them. Deep are the thoughts of a child: Quiet them. Precious is a child’s life: Protect it.” - Pamela Glenconner With the end of school and the beginning of summer already here, I want to remind all on the importance of watching children around water. Drowning is an all-too-frequent
cause of death for children. Already in the past month three children have lost
their lives in drowning incidents in the Mesa area. Drowning tragedies can take
place virtually anywhere. Children have drowned in ponds, lakes, swimming pools,
wading pools, bathtubs, toilets and even buckets of water. It doesn’t matter
where water and young children come together, children need constant
supervision. Many fatalities have resulted when the child was left for “just a
second or two.” Remember, children can drown in very shallow water; only a
couple of inches are more than enough to drown a child. Never leave your child unattended in or near the bathtub, pool, wading pool, or any other body of water. Supervise children at all times when they are around water. Children have drowned even when several adults have been close by “supervising” them. In social situations make sure one adult is the designated supervisor; rotate the responsibility. ! If you have a swimming pool, make sure your children, as well as other children in the neighborhood, will not be able to get near the pool unsupervised. ! Drain wading pools after use. ! Phone calls should never take priority over the supervision of a child in water. A cordless phone can make things easier for you when you are bathing the child or are around the pool; you won’t have to take the children with you to answer the phone. Never let a telephone call distract your attention from supervision. It’s called voice mail. You can always call back. No call is as important as your child’s life. ! Empty all buckets of water around the house and yard. Children have fallen head first into cleaning buckets without tipping the bucket over, and drowned. Surprisingly, this kind of problem is fairly common. Some bucket manufacturers now include a warning about a possible child drowning hazard in their labeling. ! Infants have drowned in pet food bowls when their faces were submerged in the bowl and the child’s weak neck muscles were not able to lift their face out of the water. ! Keep toilet lids down. It is a good idea to install a locking system that will keep the lid closed and make opening difficult for a child. ! Barrels to catch rain water should have child-proof lids. A curious child will want to see what’s inside. ! Fence off water holes, ponds, and dugouts to keep children out. ! Septic tanks, wells, and other hazards should be covered to prevent children from falling into them. The covers should be designed so that it is impossible for a child or even several children acting together to open them. A sheet of plywood covering a water-filled hole is insufficient to keep children out. To quote Channel 10 Weatherman Dave Munsey, “Watch your kids around water. Two seconds is too long.” Until next month thank you and may God Bless - Chris Vásquez - Sheriff
****************************************************************************************************** "It's not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives, who spends himself in a worthy cause." - Theodore Roosevelt Every May we come together to
remember what was gained in our communities, and all that was lost. Each time
our peace officers report for duty we live in freedom and safety. The war on
crime has taken from us the men and women we honor, and every hour of the
lifetimes they had hoped to live. They lived to make a difference in this world. And they died as they lived – defending freedom, safeguarding peace, and preserving justice. Their deaths remind us that we must never take our safety for granted, and that our cherished freedoms do not come without a price. The sacrifices of these men and women are the reasons we continue to live in a nation of freedom and opportunity. Their deaths serve as a vivid reminder of why we do the jobs we do. We are privileged – and proud – that these heroes chose to stand beside us. We will always remember and be inspired by the example they have given us. Their spirit remains, like a handprint on our hearts. Those who gave their lives and those who risk their lives daily are my heroes. I dedicate this article to all peace officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, but, specifically to Detention Officer Richard P. Gowanlock – January 29, 2004; Sergeant Donald Mauldin - August 24, 2002; Deputy Jason P. Lopez - May 4, 2001; Deputy William Livingston – May 4, 1996; Deputy James M. Morgan - February 25, 1973; Deputy Carlos Escamilla - May 14, 1955; Deputy Edward Smith - August 3, 1948; Deputy Sam Blackwell - June 3, 1943; Deputy Jack Hickox - June 8, 1938; Deputy Lee Wright - January 28, 1930; Deputy Edwin Conoley - August 13, 1927; Deputy Joseph E. Donaldson - May 14, 1918; Deputy John C. Powers - November 5, 1914; Deputy Phineas Brown - August 19, 1914; Deputy E.L. Drew - May 15, 1911 Until next month thank you and may God Bless Chris Vásquez - Sheriff
****************************************************************************************************** SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1In my more than thirty years in law enforcement I have seen many types of illegal drugs, like PCP, Heroin, LSD and Methamphetamine (Meth), abused by addicts. Seems when law enforcement finds a way to curb them a new more powerful drug takes its place.
The drug of choice now is Meth.
Law Enforcement over the past several years has been successful in passing laws
to make it harder to manufacture in Arizona and across the United States. Well a
new kind of methamphetamine that has a strawberry flavor and bright pink
coloring has hit the market. The drug was seized for the first time in Carson
City, Nevada during a search of an apartment.
We are concerned that this new
type of meth will be more attractive to a younger crowd and may surface in
schools. Because of this parents and teachers, please be aware of this new kind
of drug that is making its way into our culture. This new strawberry meth goes
by the street name of “strawberry quick”.
Methamphetamine is a highly
addictive central nervous system stimulant that can be injected, snorted,
smoked, or ingested orally. Methamphetamine addicts feel a short yet intense
"rush" when the drug is initially administered. The effects of methamphetamine
include increased activity, decreased appetite, and a sense of well being that
can last from 20 minutes to 12 hours. Methamphetamine can easily be manufactured
in clandestine laboratories using store bought materials and is the most
prevalent synthetic drug manufactured in the United States. The ease of
manufacturing methamphetamine and its highly addictive potential has caused the
use of the drug to increase throughout the Nation. The methamphetamine problem
was originally concentrated in the West but has spread throughout almost every
major metropolitan area in the U.S. with the exception of the Northeast. With the ever changing drug scene it is important that law enforcement, communities and parents continually stay on alert for the new meth. Of course meth use is not the only drug being abused. Stay alert for all forms of drug abuse both illegal, over the counter and prescription. Until next month thank you and may God Bless - Chris Vásquez - Sheriff
****************************************************************************************************** To The Citizens of Pinal County; “It was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” Hubert H. Humphrey (1911 - 1978) Crimes Against the Elderly: It has been said that the world is often unfair. Today approximately one of every eight Americans must face the realities of aging. Being old and victimized seems among the cruelest of inequities. Elderly situations vary, as do the ways the elderly deal with growing older. Regardless of their circumstances; however, most old people say they worry about crime with many fearing they may become victims. As a group, older people can be a powerful and active force. As individuals, they can be vulnerable and may need help. The vulnerability of some of its members sets this population apart from other age groups also concerned about crime. What are the Crimes? Many of the crimes committed against the elderly reflect what is happening to the population in general. While many types of crime could involve any age, a few categories, frauds and scams, purse snatching, pick pocketing, theft of checks from the mail and crimes in long-term care settings, claim more older than younger victims, according to AARP studies. One category, elder abuse, finds all of its victims in the older population. Reports of violent crimes spread rapidly through the mature community and affect that portion of the population dramatically. Although statistics show that violent crime against the elderly is rare as compared to other age groups, many older people fear physical harm. Property Crime. The invasion of an elderly’s living quarters and damage to possessions may be economically and emotionally destructive. The loss of possessions may be less destructive than never feeling secure in those living quarters after the incident. Frauds and Scams. Loss of money can be critical for anyone with limited financial resources, but for many older persons, it can be devastating. Some of the elderly are even more susceptible to fraudulent schemes. While it is difficult to draw general conclusions, there are various factors (and combinations of factors) that can lead to victimization - especially when they are combined with reduced mental and physical abilities. Several of these factors are: Loneliness: Those older persons who do not have a chance to talk with others as much as they wish may be receptive to a friendly, smooth-talking con artist. Grief: An older person who has lost close friends or relatives to death may be seeking companionship. Loss: An older person deprived of friends, family, job, or routine may become depressed and can, in some instances, be a target for swindlers. Sensory impairment: Older people with poor eyesight or hearing loss can become easy marks for con games such as those involving fraudulent contracts with small print. Illness: An older person who is ill and in pain may grasp at the promise of a miracle cure. Vanity: The reluctance to exhibit characteristics of aging may make older persons vulnerable to products and schemes to “cure” aging or the symptoms of aging. Limited Income: The older retiree who is on a fixed income and alarmed about unforeseen inflation may take risks when apparently easy money is offered. Mistrust of banks: Some older persons may keep substantial amounts of cash at home, remembering post-Depression era concern about bank failures. They worry about more recent accounts of depositors losing money and also find it difficult to get to the bank. This money could be lost to them not only through frauds and scams but robberies and burglaries as well. Isolation: Some elderly living alone may be unequipped to deal with home repairs. Lacking a readily available second opinion, they may succumb to the offers of the proverbial dishonest roof repairer or driveway resurfacer. Elder Abuse. Although it is generally recognized that elder abuse may be vastly under reported, some authorities suggest that there could be as many as 2.5 million incidents of abuse of older persons in any given year. Mistreatment occurs both in domestic and institutional settings. As the older population increases, it is likely that the incidents of mistreatment also will grow. How to Avoid Becoming the Victim of a con artist The con artist will appear to be a polite, soft-spoken individual who sometimes poses a police detective, repair person, or banking official. But beware! Behind this familiar facade, lies a cunning, heartless individual with only one goal in mind - getting your money! The con artist has no conscience and to them you are nothing more than an income source. Familiarize yourself with four of the most common con games: The Bank Examiner The phone rings. The caller, who may be male or female, is a very convincing, professional sounding person who claims to work for your bank, or even the Federal Reserve. They may seem to know a lot about your personal affairs - even your bank balance. They tell you there’s a crooked bank employee who has been stealing money from customer’s accounts and in order to catch the thief, they need your help. You are asked to withdraw a large sum of money from your account and then meet with him or a police detective so that the money can be counted and marked. When you hand over the money you are given a receipt or a cashier’s check. You are assured the money will be returned to your account. Remember, when you give the money over, it’s gone forever! These con artists are members of deceit. They pose as banking officials and police detectives. They may produce official-looking ID cards, badges, guns and radios. Don’t be fooled. Banks and law enforcement agencies do not conduct investigations in this manner. If ever approached in this manner, contact your bank and law enforcement right away, and leave your money IN THE BANK!!! The Pigeon Drop You could be at the bank, on a street corner, or in a shopping center when two strangers approach. They act as though they have never met but they are actually working a carefully rehearsed routine, which is designed to take your money! One claims to have just found an envelope, a package, or a purse containing a large sum of money. A note with the cash may give the impression that the money is as the result of illegal activity. The three of you discuss what should be done. One of ‘them’ says they work for a lawyer, an accountant, or some other professional and offers to go ask for advice. Upon their return, you are told that their boss said it would be all right to divide the cash equally, but first you must prove you are a reputable person with money of your own. They, of course, have a large amount of money on them, proving they are reputable. They drive you to your bank so you can withdraw what they call ‘Good Faith’ money. They tell you the next step is to show your ‘Good Faith’ money to the ‘Boss’. You are told to go to the office of the ‘Boss’ to get your cut. If you have gone this far, it is too late, because you will soon find that there is no such person as the ‘Boss’ and that the strangers switched your money with cut up paper. YOU WILL NOT SEE THE STRANGERS OR YOUR MONEY AGAIN!!! Should someone approach you and says they have just found a large sum of money, leave immediately! THE ONLY NEWLY FOUND MONEY WILL BE YOURS!!! Home Repair A workman comes to the door
offering to do some costly repair work for what seems like a bargain price. He
might say his father put the roof on the house years earlier and he is here to
do any necessary repairs nearly cost-free. Or he might say he was in the
neighborhood doing another job and has some left over materials that must be
used quickly. If you agree to let him do the work, when he is finished, he will
return to your door and give you a much higher price than you expected. By now
the work is completed and he tells you that you must pay or he will take you to
court. The Badge Player This scam is used on someone who has already fallen victim to another con game. The con artist, posing as a police detective, tells you he is investigating the earlier case and needs to discuss details of the case with you. He may show you pictures of possible suspects, even photos of the actual crooks who swindled you. He might say they are about to make an arrest, but the law enforcement agency cannot afford the expenses involved to travel out of town, so you are asked for the travel money. If you provide that travel money, it is your money going on that one-way trip! Should someone come to your door and says he is a law enforcement officer, make certain you ask to see their badge or ID card. Examine them closely. Then call the non-emergency number listed in YOUR phone book for the local law enforcement agency. DO NOT CALL A NUMBER PROVIDED BY THE SO CALLED DETECTIVE AT YOUR DOOR. And do not ever pay expenses. No law enforcement agency works that way! For more information, contact the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Community Affairs Section at (520) 866-6129, or email: stormee.wallace@co.pinal.az.us Until next month, may God Bless Chris Vásquez – Sheriff - Michael Minter - Public Information Officer
****************************************************************************************************** How Shoplifting Affects You & Your Family One of the most common non-violent crimes facing America today and most in the world is ‘Shoplifting’! This problem is so widespread that most stores and shops automatically increase their prices (as much as 10%) to cover these losses. Shoplifters fall into several categories; first, there are “professionals” that make their living by stealing * most often to their customers ‘specifications’. They have to perfect their techniques to operate, using dozens of clever tricks. Some take things they could easily pay for and perhaps do not even want. These offenders may suffer from kleptomania, a neurotic, irresistible impulse to steal. This is almost never done for the purpose of acquiring the item taken. While these people may not necessarily be considered mentally ill, generally “kleptomaniacs” are emotionally disturbed. The greatest numbers of shoplifters are ‘amateurs’. They usually have little money, few scruples and an intense desire to own luxuries. Whether the item taken is of little value (as a candy bar or piece of bubble gum) or of greater worth (hand tool or camera), it is still shoplifting and it is still a crime! These crimes affect us all by being forced to pay higher prices. HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE SHOPLIFTERS No matter how young children are, they must be taught that to take anything without paying for it is a wrongful act. If a child does not realize this at an early age, it may set a pattern that could follow him/her into adulthood, with serious consequences. The simplest way to prevent a child from stealing is to watch him at all times while you are shopping and reprimand him when the act takes place. If this fails, take him to the store manager or other authoritative personnel and say something like ‘my son/daughter took this. Will you please explain what happens to people who steal?’ Naturally, it is a more serious problem when teenagers and adults engage in shoplifting. A friend or family member may be extremely secretive, but if they engage in shoplifting regularly, there are usually giveaway clues as to their activities: (1) Extra unexplained income, (2) Possession of luxuries you know they cannot afford, (3) Secretive habits during certain times of the day, and/or (4) Lavish gifts on friends and acquaintances. WHEN YOU DISCOVER A SHOPLIFTER If it is a stranger in the illegal act, notify store personnel. If it’s a friend of family member, warn him or her first. If this fails, convince him to see a doctor. As a last resort, you may have to notify police, to save him from ridicule, disgrace and extreme hardship later. What- ever you do, do not try to apprehend them yourself! Leave that to the authorities. Stay safe! Michael Minter #808 - Public Information Officer - Work #(520) 866-5148 - Fax # (520) 866-5165
****************************************************************************************************** How to Deal with a Graffiti Problem What motivates graffiti vandals? Some of them just want to damage your property, but many get a thrill out of seeing their ‘art’ of ‘tags’ in places where lots of other people can see them too. If you can deny graffiti vandals this thrill, they’ll go elsewhere next time. 1. Clean up Graffiti right away! This is the most important thing. The faster you remove the graffiti, the less of a thrill the vandal gets. There are products on the market, such as graffiti-proof paint, that make it easier to clean off the paint. 2. Be Persistent! You may have to clean up the graffiti three times before the vandals realize it’s not worth their effort. What can you do to make it harder for vandals to get close enough to your walls to write on them? - Use clinging plants, such as ivy, on vulnerable walls. This breaks up the writing space and makes it harder for the paint to reach the wall. - Remove large trees or bushes that block people’s view of vandals. The best plant life for graffiti-prone areas is short bushes that keep people from getting to close to walls. Make sure you keep the bushes well-trimmed. - Use pebbles around the building create noise when people are walking. But remember this will only make a difference if there is someone around to: Hear the noise; see what is happening and do something about it. Another good tip is using motion-detector lights. Keeping the lights on all night makes it easier for people to see graffiti vandals. BUT*it also lets the vandals see what they are doing, and lets others see the graffiti when they are done. Also, if an area is usually dark, people will notice if it is suddenly lit up. What makes a wall attractive to graffiti vandals? Smooth texture; light-colored paint; regular paint; a wall that is easily accessible to get to. What makes a wall not so attractive to these vandals? Rough texture; dark-colored paint; anti-graffiti paint; or a wall that is covered with plants or brush and hard to reach. Michael Minter - Public Information Officer - Work #(520) 866-5148 - Fax # (520) 866-5165 ******************************************************************************************************
Pinal County
Sheriff’s Update - 73rd Installment - February, 2007 “I also keep thinking of all the heartache in the lives of these gang members. They are not there because it was their desire and dreams in this life. This is not what they were born to be. It is beyond me how parents can't see how their actions or better still inaction affects the lives of these kids that end up in gangs.” Jacquie (Former gang member) Can you imagine a scenario in which you cannot have a boyfriend or a girlfriend without a gang’s permission? Or, where you get threatened and beaten up because you are not in a gang? Or, where your neighborhood looks like gang territory? Or, where youth in our schools or neighborhoods end up in a prison or a cemetery due to gang affiliation? Unfortunately, too many young people have grown up in these conditions. Fears of terrorism dominate the print and television news media, but across the United States, and Pinal County is no exception, many are facing a menace that is quickly returning to towns large and small. Gangs once thought to be confined to impoverished and overcrowded urban ghettos, are found in every town or city. It doesn’t matter the size or how affluent the community. According to the National Youth Gang Center, there were 25,000 sinister gangs in the United States in 2004 with a combined membership of 750,000. There have been increasingly more articles detailing every major newspaper and television network in the country. The significant increasing gang activity is an issue that every Pinal County citizen must take seriously, but especially those working with and for young people. Unfortunately, some see gangs as exciting, or inevitable, or tradition, but gangs as we use the term in law enforcement exist either to commit illegal acts or to use violence and other dangerous actions without regard to our laws. Gangs are extremely costly to local government’s budgets, diminish healthy civic activity, and most of all, they hurt our youth and destroy their futures. One of the best ways to prevent gangs is to have our youth involved in positive activities such as Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, TAZ Boxing Club in Eloy, just to mention a few. One of the greatest threats to our children is the way gangs recruit new members. They often lure children, both boys and girls as young as 10-years old with promises of emotional and financial support. They target families where the parents are gone all the time, or single parent homes. They offer a family structure that includes necessities like food, clothes, finances and even discipline that they are not getting at home. Gangs may strike fear in the hearts of the general public, but they thrive because they appear as friends, support, and protection to vulnerable youth. Gangs often recruit new members through the middle schools, an age when youth are more vulnerable. The Casa Grande Valley area has been plagued by gang violence on and off for years starting in the early 1980s to as recently as the last few years with drive-by shootings and homicides. In the City of Baltimore, one gang in particular, the Bloods, has begun a new form of initiation in which new members are required to rob tourists in the Inner Harbor, threatening one of the city’s major tourist attractions. As gangs become more and more organized, they find new ways to prevent detection. For example, each gang is identified by a certain color such as; the Bloods Gang is red, Crips Gang is Blue, and some of the Hispanic gangs are brown. In the late 1980s gangs would place a folded red, blue or brown handkerchief in their back pocket signifying they belonged to a particular gang. Over the years they evolved away from this practice as police would target them as gang members especially when enhanced sentences were adopted for committing crimes as gang members. Many gangs now adapt their colors to those of a school or national sports team. It is now even more essential that anyone who works with youth should pay close attention to possible signs of gang involvement. Once they have joined a gang, most young people have little possibility of leaving except through death. Gangs use the term, “Blood in, Blood out.” Meaning as part of the initiation, a prospect is beaten in by several gang members spilling some of their own blood. In order to leave the gang spilling of more blood, usually fatal, is required. It is imperative that everyone including parents, teachers, and law enforcement take this issue seriously and work to reduce the level of youth gang membership. Recently, the legislature expanded the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s anti-gang unit, GITEM, into Pinal County with additional funding for equipment and personnel. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is committing two deputies to work in this unit. The unit will be home based out of the Sheriff’s Office main headquarters in Florence. It is dedicated to fighting gang infiltration and violence. While their efforts are an important step that must be taken, there are other steps that parents and others can take to protect kids and their future. We must unite now in our communities to prevent the menace of criminal gangs. Research shows that kids who are taught refusal skills are much better equipped to handle these situations. For example parents and/or teachers should teach children to come up with excuses for why kids can’t join the gang; and to immediately report the problem - anonymously, confidentially, and safely. To learn more about street gangs to the following websites: www.iir.com/nygc/ - www.knowgangs.com www.gangsandkids.com www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/gangs.asp Thank you and until next month, may God Bless. - Chris Vásquez – Sheriff - Michael Minter - Public Information Officer ******************************************************************************************************
Pinal
County Sheriff’s Update To The Citizens of Pinal County; When a resolute young fellow steps up to the bully and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid. - Author Unknown Bullying has often been excused as simply a phase or a common childhood behavior, which need not concern the community at large. This is a fallacy that has led to pain and suffering for all involved, including the victims and bullies. The term bullying has been defined in a variety of ways from purely physical actions to a combination of physical, verbal and emotional action. An imbalance of power also plays a significant role as the bully often feels he/she has a higher level of physical or social power over the bullied person. Bullying can be either direct, as in the case of physical or verbal abuse, or indirect, such as gossip or teasing, but both forms can be equally detrimental. According to studies as many as 75% of children in the United States have experienced some sort of bullying. Boys are more likely to bully or be bullied indirect ways, whereas girls are more likely to bullying in indirect ways, which are difficult to detect. In order to protect our students and maintain safe learning environments parents and schools must work together to curb bully. According to the National Crime Prevention Coalition: 56% of teens witness at least one bullying incident at school every day; children who are bullies by ay 8 have a 1 in 4 chance of having a criminal record by age 30; and 3/4ths of the school shooting attackers felt persecuted, bullied, threatened. As technology becomes a more integral part of American life and children begin incorporating tools, such as the internet, into their daily lives, online bullying has become a more prevalent concern. This form of bullying is often referred to as “cyber bullying” and can be just as harmful to children as other forms of bullying. Online, bullies can cloak themselves in anonymity and spread damaging rumors to larger audiences. Cyber bullying is a particularly difficult form of bullying to detect due to a lack of supervision. Who are the victims? Well, they usually are kids who stand out as different in some way: appearance (weight, clothes, disability, etc.); sexual orientation; intellect; socio-economic background; and cultural or religious background. Not only can technology make bullying easier and less detectable, it can also actively encourage the behavior. For example: there is a new video game on the market called “Bully in October.” while the company who released it has kept quiet on most of the details, in the game, players are able to use violence to bully schoolmates in a school setting. Some believe, including me, it will lead to an increase in violence on school campuses. It is also crucial that parents, teachers, and others who work with children, be willing to take steps to either prevent or put a stop to any bullying they become aware of. There are a number of helpful resources available on the internet. For example, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a website devoted to spreading information about this form of abuse and how to stop it (stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov). The following is a list of tips and warning signs for parents and other adults regarding bullying: Immediate response to bullies: communicate you are not afraid; make a joke; walk away; report the incident to an authority you trust like a school resource officer. Signs to look for in targeted children: fears going to school; avoids riding the bus; avoids eating lunch in the cafeteria; comes home with bruises, scratches, torn clothes or missing property; seems depressed or worried; denies anything is wrong; is withdrawn; shows a drop in grades. Cyber bullies use: emails; instant messaging; text messages on cells phones; web pages; blogs; chat rooms and discussion groups. Tips for preventing or curbing bullying: learn as much as possible about bullying among children and adolescents; talk to children about bullying and how you expect them to treat others; look for signs of bullying or being bullied; ask specific rather than general questions about what happened at school; work with school personnel and other adults in the community; Take immediate action if you suspect bullying: may include contacting the proper authorities; make sure home computer(s) are easily viewable; consider using parental control filtering software. Do not let your child become a victim of a bully. Take the steps to either prevent or put a stop to bullying. If you child shows signs of bullying teach them to respect others. If your child requires professional help to over come bullying, seek it. Thank you and until next month may God Bless - Chris Vásquez - Sheriff
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This unique volunteer community-policing concept was implemented by the sheriff and modeled after a similar program he implemented when he was with the Casa Grande Police Department; utilizing trained citizen volunteers to patrol their communities reporting suspicious or potential criminal activity. Within hours of receiving their certification, the COP volunteers were already patrolling the streets of Gold Canyon in a fully marked Pinal County Sheriff's Office vehicle, minus the roof lights. The sheriff procured the vehicle for the COP program, utilizing a school resource officer vehicle that was no longer being used. The COP volunteers undergo 8 to 10 hours of training, during which they are taught law enforcement techniques in the witnessing and reporting of suspicious activity. Should they find a suspicious circumstance, they are trained to immediately notify law enforcement, and are not to take any direct action themselves. "I believe this core group will be the catalyst to making their neighborhood safe," said Sheriff Vasquez, who hopes to duplicate the program in other areas of the county. The sheriff said to graduates Ronald Rosenhahn, Janice Cunningham, Mary Holland, Chester Haines, Maggie Coleman, Carolin Benjamin, Bob Benjamin, Helena Magee, Lynn Malore, Terri Rozzini, Don Schaefer and Joseph Stone, "You are my heroes because you are out there helping us." For additional information on the Gold Canyon COP program, contact Corporal Stormee Wallace at Stormee.Wallace@co.pinal.az.us. ******************************************************************************************************
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