| BARRIOZONA |
| Bilingual Community Expression Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
| MCSO’s Sweeps Under the Watchful Eye of Mesa Police Department |
Mesa, Arizona (June 27, 2008). The first day of the long-
announced and controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Department’s
immigration sweep in the city of Mesa developed in the midst of
marked and unmarked sheriff vehicles patrolling the streets, and a
Mesa Police Department’s operation to maintain the order.
As it happened since the second day of a similar operation in the
town of Guadalupe on April 4, the deployment of MCSO’s special
vehicles in public parking lots surrounded by protesters did not
occur, since the sheriff department chose —as predicted— to use
its facilities in the county complex in Mesa.
The Mesa Police Department’s operation appeared to dent the
approach in which the MCSO conducted previous operations both
in Phoenix and Guadalupe. While the MPD’s operation allowed the
county sheriff to exercise its jurisdiction in Mesa, it restricted the
usual and excessive display of resources by the sheriff
department. Moreover, it curtailed the likeness of volatile and
dangerous confrontations among protesters, as the ones seen in
Phoenix.
announced and controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Department’s
immigration sweep in the city of Mesa developed in the midst of
marked and unmarked sheriff vehicles patrolling the streets, and a
Mesa Police Department’s operation to maintain the order.
As it happened since the second day of a similar operation in the
town of Guadalupe on April 4, the deployment of MCSO’s special
vehicles in public parking lots surrounded by protesters did not
occur, since the sheriff department chose —as predicted— to use
its facilities in the county complex in Mesa.
The Mesa Police Department’s operation appeared to dent the
approach in which the MCSO conducted previous operations both
in Phoenix and Guadalupe. While the MPD’s operation allowed the
county sheriff to exercise its jurisdiction in Mesa, it restricted the
usual and excessive display of resources by the sheriff
department. Moreover, it curtailed the likeness of volatile and
dangerous confrontations among protesters, as the ones seen in
Phoenix.
| Sheriff Arpaio throws a tantrum, criticizes Mesa Police for similar actions his department has done. |
| Text and photographs by Eduardo Barraza |
| MESA POLICE CHIEF GASCÓN: While allowing MCSO to exercise its jurisdiction in Mesa, he kept control of the situation in his city's streets. |
In contrast to previous immigration sweeps, Sheriff Joe Arpaio was a no-show. Both in Phoenix and Guadalupe, he
made personal appearances and offered public press conferences. This time he reacted from his downtown Phoenix'
office, harshly criticizing Mesa Police Chief George Gascón. Sheriff Arpaio threatened his department will not
communicate with MPD in similar future operations.
made personal appearances and offered public press conferences. This time he reacted from his downtown Phoenix'
office, harshly criticizing Mesa Police Chief George Gascón. Sheriff Arpaio threatened his department will not
communicate with MPD in similar future operations.
The head of the MCSO accused the Mesa Police
Chief of wasting taxpayer’s money for
deploying dozens of police officers to prevent a
dangerous environment. Similar accusations
have been common against Sheriff Arpaio, such
as an excessive use of resources.
Mesa Police closed Lewis Street and Javelina
Avenue where demonstrators gathered around
the Maricopa County Southeast Regional
Campus. Police officers, patrol cars and
barricades set boundaries and distance
between free-speech designated zones for
each group of protesters. Latino activists and
members of the community represented a much
larger group than those who support the
sheriff’s operation.
A second day of operation has been
announced to continue on Friday, June 27.
Chief of wasting taxpayer’s money for
deploying dozens of police officers to prevent a
dangerous environment. Similar accusations
have been common against Sheriff Arpaio, such
as an excessive use of resources.
Mesa Police closed Lewis Street and Javelina
Avenue where demonstrators gathered around
the Maricopa County Southeast Regional
Campus. Police officers, patrol cars and
barricades set boundaries and distance
between free-speech designated zones for
each group of protesters. Latino activists and
members of the community represented a much
larger group than those who support the
sheriff’s operation.
A second day of operation has been
announced to continue on Friday, June 27.
| RELATED ARTICLE: Mesa Police Department Readies for MCSO's Operation |
| MCSO's TRAFFIC STOP: This sheriff department's vehicle pulled over this truck. The driver was let go within minutes, after he showed a valid driver's license. No traffic citation was issued. |
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