Login

Register | Forgot Your Password? | Close

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio started ramping up security Monday at several schools in his jurisdiction.

The controversial decision to station armed volunteers from the sheriff's posse comes weeks after the shooting in Newtown, Conn.

"We're now concentrating on those towns that we do the law enforcement for like Cave Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills," Arpaio said. "We don't have the manpower right now to cover the 2,000 schools in Phoenix and other cities."

Arpaio said he'll start the patrols at about 50 schools in Maricopa County. His trained volunteer posse members will be outside on school grounds, stationed in marked cars.

Arpaio said, "Some of them are trained in automatic assault rifles so you come near the school you're going to have a big problem."

SWAT teams and K-9 units will also help patrol schools at times, according to Arpaio.

The Sheriff's Office plans to recruit and train more volunteer members to eventually cover every school in Maricopa County.

Aaron Granillo, News Editor

share this story:
facebook

7 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
  • Add A Comment 
  • Abuse
    SurpriseMe wrote...
    Thank you
    January 7, 2013 12:58 pm
    Thank you Sheriff for protecting us. Our kids are important and you recognize it enough to do something now. Now we need to help parents of kids with physical and mental issues.
  • Abuse
    The Chemist wrote...
    Arpaio's goon squad
    January 7, 2013 1:31 pm
    will be ok taking care of schools as long as they don't investigate sex crimes against children!!....You know how that went. Arpaio's geezer posse will at least act as a determent for any crazy guys that may want to take out their anger against our children.
  • Abuse
    gilbert armenta wrote...
    ffs this is straight trash
    January 7, 2013 3:39 pm
    much like his misguided immigration efforts his chances of being at a school the moment something goes down is nearly impossible. Now we need to explain to our children why armed men with K9's are patrolling our schools? Yeah that's sounds safer to an 8 year old. This is completely impractical and irresponsible. I'm no fan of Joe's, but even this even nuts for him.
  • Abuse
    OneWonders wrote...
    Gilbert
    January 7, 2013 4:02 pm
    I know this article doesn't mention it but are they gonna be outside patrolling fully armed? I thought this article says the armed posse will be stationed inside marked cars. My bad if I am wrong on that.
    Equal Justice, Not Social Justice.
  • Abuse
    Steve wrote...
    @Gilbert and Chemist
    January 7, 2013 5:12 pm
    Chemist's comments are of course off topic and full of hate. Culverts comments have no merit because cops patrol our schools now, some have cops full time. I praise the sheriffs move instead of doing nothing and calling on disarming Americans.
  • Abuse
    UZI wrote...
    Pathetic how dilbert, meth addict and blabbo-do
    January 7, 2013 5:19 pm
    whine and complain for us to give a fair shake to liberals yet they have the utmost animosity for Joe, the Constitution and won't entertain the idea of giving them a fair shake.
  • Abuse
    1redcav wrote...
    jose'/chemist,
    January 7, 2013 6:04 pm
    let me tell you something....you are so full of HATE! The posse CANNOT investigate ANYTHING, you idiot! They are NOT sworn law enforcement officers!
  • 1

Latest Arizona Stories

Ask About An Advertiser
Ben Franklin Water Cooler

Water Cooler

World Class Arizona

  • Avnet

    World Class People. World Class Company. Here's information on a Fortune 500 company from Arizona.

Voice For A Better Arizona

Most Popular

The Lasso Posts