Sheriff Arpaio’s thugs threaten to arrest a New Times reporter for looking at public records - (wow, you have to read this one) - Phoenix, Arizona

How close did I come to getting arrested by Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies today? As Maxwell Smart would say, “Missed it by that much.”

The problem: I had the nerve to want to look at the same public records that sheriff’s deputies were scouring at the City of Phoenix public records counter.
…

I strolled up to the deputies, identified myself, and asked who they were. They refused to reveal their names, but that’s them in the picture at the top of this article. I told the pair I was interested in seeing what documents the city had released to them, and asked them if it was all right if I took a peek at some of the documents in the box that they weren’t using at the time. They said no way, then turned over some of the public records that had been face-up so I couldn’t see them.

I stated that I had the right to simply reach into the box and look at the records, but the deputy in the blue shirt said he “wouldn’t advise that.” Which I took to mean, by the words and his tone, that he’d arrest me.”*

Stumble it! | |

Other posts that may interest you

Lawman's raids on immigrants spark fury in Phoenix - Sheriff Joe Arpaio

Montoya back as Arizona Hispanic Chamber chairman - 2005-12-27

Torres considering run for Secretary of State. Arizona

Hispanic Leaders Fear Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Patrols Will Spark Violence - Arizona

Immigration bill protesters, As many as 100,000, take to the streets in Arizona

Republican National Committee chairman Ken Mehlman was in Arizona Thursday, visiting with a Hispanic-owned business in West Phoenix and attending a GOP fundraiser in Tucson, Arizona

Media Moves: Janet Rodríguez moves to Phoenix

Phoenix Latinos set up hotlines to report racial profiling

NPR: 'America's Toughest Sheriff' Takes on Immigration - Joe Arpaio in Arizona

Datos survey places Arizona seventh in Hispanic purchasing power