MCSO monitoring lakes closed by shutdown

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has been in charge of monitoring the lakes in the Tonto National Forest that are closed because of the partial government shutdown.

MCSO is currently turning people away from Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake and Bartlett Lake. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said his deputies are doing their job, but ready for the shutdown to end.

“My deputies are carrying out their required duties that our agreement with the federal government calls for,” said Arpaio in a release. “When the president and Congress resolve their differences, we will no longer have to take this course of action. For the sake of all affected by the shutdown, let’s hope the negotiations in Washington are concluded swiftly.”

MCSO said the public has not been very understanding when they’re informed the lakes are closed.

“We are seeing enough anger that we want to make it known to our citizens and visitors that as soon as federal government shutdown is concluded, all will return to normal,” said Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Lake Patrol Capt. Russ Skinner in a press release.