Comments on: American Law Enforcement Must Demand the Removal of Sheriff Arpaio from Duty

By: Drew

Drew — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:14:14 +0000

Thank you for your article Ms. Olson.

We recognize that it is never easy being a police officer. As a society we often ask, and expect, that law enforcement perform actions that seem, sometimes, contradictory: To keep us safe from criminals – while respecting the rights and privacy of all.

The fact that so many officers and departments do as well as they do in this regard speaks volumes for the professionalism and humanity of the “95%” of whom you speak.

The other “5%”, I fear, find enablers among the Conservative media outlets, that pander to ignorance, bigotry, and fear in their audiences.

Please take heart from the knowledge that your message inspires hope and respect among the decent, but often silent, majority of the community. We know that effective police work demands the cooperation and support of the community it claims to serve.

By: J

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:57:20 +0000

I used to live in Phoenix and loved it. I love it’s people and immigrant community.I am not undocumented, but unfortunately my partner was. I can sympathize with the immigrant community. Phoenix quickly changed from a happy sunny place to the darkest place I had ever lived in. I felt like the family that hid Anne Frank. I was in constant fear that my partner would be stopped for a routine traffic stop and I would never see him again. I also feared that when he left the house, that he would never come back. The strain was unbelievable. We didn’t travel, we didn’t go out at all. When you are involved with someone who’s undocumented, you become by association, undocumented. You become restricted, you live in fear that your neighbors will report your partner. You can’t contact the police for anything for fear that too many questions will be asked. We eventually had to move to another state for our peace of mind. It feels like the local sport in Maricopa county is hunting undocumented immigrants and not actually fighting crime. It was like living in a fascist dictatorship. It has the potential of turning into another Romania under Ceaucescu. Arpaio forgets that we all are children of immigrants, legal and illegal. We are not native to this country and we took this land by force, from Native Americans and from Mexico itself. We are all illegals in this country, ask the Native Americans. To all the good Christian citizens of Arizona who keep electing Arpaio,do you think Jesus or God care what someone’s immigration status is or what language they speak? You should all be ashamed.

By: J.C. Johnson

J.C. Johnson — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:24:12 +0000

Bravo, Alix, bravo.

If ever you wish to come down and see for yourself, we have a guest house waiting for you. My girlfriend is a former Milwaukee prosecutor, and I am a former LEO from the East Coast.

I have never seen anything like this outside of Bosnia or Africa. Contact me offline if you’d like more details.

By: NathanArr

NathanArr — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:45:52 +0000

Great posts. My shame in living in a country that allows Arpaio to continue his “enforcement” tactics is matched by my pride in having great law enforcement officers like yourself, who understand how communities work.

By: MdeG

MdeG — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:18:13 +0000

Thank you for this! I live in a heavily immigrant town that’s seen some fluctuation in attitudes among the local police and town government. My conclusion is absolutely in line with yours. Community policing depends upon the community being able to trust the police.

At times when immigrant neighbors were getting a lot of hassle from local officials, they stayed indoors, didn’t hang out on their porches, kept the kids indoors. The gangsters were noticeably bolder, walked in larger groups, gave people more attitude. I definitely did not feel safer walking on the streets of my neighborhood.

Now our police chief is taking a strong stand on community policing, and people are back to saying hi on the street. It’s much better, believe me.

Thanks for taking this stand. Arpaio and those who imitate him are doing great damage to our communities.

By: Darryl Warren

Darryl Warren — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:24:40 +0000

Wow,

One of the most powerful pieces I have ever read and a wake up call. Thank you for reminding me that sometimes we must clearly stand up for community. You give me courage!

By: Anthony L. Wesley

Anthony L. Wesley — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:30:35 +0000

I sincerely appreciate your article on this matter. I live in Maricopa County and am embarrassed to tell people. I feel like I live in prewar Germany. We used to have a Police Chief that felt the same way you do named Chief George Gascon in Mesa. He made incredible and what most people said was impossible progress in law enforcement in Mesa bringing down the crime rate. His focus was community policing. Believe me you are completely correct on your belief’s, it has been proven again and again. I am sickened by what I see and hear. I have heard sickening statements made to normal latino citizens on the street that would have never been tolerated a few years ago. It amazes me how people have reverted back to a sickening period in human history because they feel they are able to speak this venom because of our Sheriff and Legislator’s allow it to happen. This has made my beautiful home that I grew up in a dark place that I feel like a stranger in. I can only hope that someone has the courage to stop it from the Federal level. The more people that speak up like you did the more courage it gives the right people to make it stop.
Thank you,
Anthony L. Wesley

By: Thank you

Thank you — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:28:23 +0000

Thank you for being brave enough to write this article. You’re right on point.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:12:53 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by BorderAction: Great blog – Wisconsin Police Detective says Sheriff Arpaio must go! http://ow.ly/VEK9 #immigration…