The Department of Justice is after him, La Raza is after him, and left-wing groups funded by George Soros have vowed to spend whatever it takes to defeat him for election this year.
But if his enemies think this would cause Sheriff Joe Arpaio to keep a lower profile, they will be very disappointed.
Today, Arpaio, the sheriff of Maricopa County, AZ erected a McDonald’s-style sign outside the fence of his famous “Tent City” jail touting how many inmates – more than 430,000 – who have been “served” since he opened it 19 years ago.
“Why would anyone call for an end to this program and the closure of Tent City?” said Arpaio announcing the sign. ”Tent City makes room for inmates who otherwise might be released to the streets due to overcrowded jails. It’s one of the best things to have happened in the local criminal justice system.”
Tent City, began in 1993 and is made up of Korean War tents used to house inmates – many of them illegal aliens – for a sheriff’s department which serves the 4th most populous county in America.
Critics have long been angered by what they call “humiliating” conditions, including the 40-cent bologna sandwiches and pink underwear that “America’s Toughest Sheriff” makes his roughly 3,000 inmates endure.
When an AP reporter visited Tent City on a particularly hot day a few years back, he interviewed an inmate complaining that “It feels like you’re in a furnace, it’s inhumane!” Arpaio overhead this and shot back:
“It’s 120 degrees in Iraq and our soldiers are living in tents too, and they have to wear full battle gear, but they did not commit any crimes, so shut your damned mouths!”
Amen to that. And while much of the publicity around Tent City is entertaining, what is little known by most Americans is just how much of the dirty work of the nation’s immigration enforcement is completed by Arpaio and his deputies each year. Arpaio’s office – in a single county – apprehends a staggering 25% of all criminal illegal aliens in the entire United States every year.
That means he doesn’t just keep illegal alien criminals out of Arizona cities, but since Arizona is the gateway for illegal entry into the U.S., he also keeps them from threatening Americans from coast to coast.
For example, two weeks ago Arpaio’s detectives apprehended 20 illegals being smuggled through Maricopa – including one wanted on an outstanding felony warrant in Oregon. All 20 of the captured illegals were headed to states other than Arizona.
So the next time you see a photo of an inmate inside Tent City in pink underwear, remember that he may well be there because Joe kept him from getting to a town near you – and send him a thank you email to let him know you appreciate it.
I lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 15 years and I can honestly say that I cant stand Joe Arpaio.
I hate his attitude – and the way he treats people – just because someone is in jail does not mean that they are dogs … all people deserve to be treated humanely.
People make mistakes – everyday – and I would like to know of 1 person that hasnt done something wrong in their lifetime.
The good sheriff isnt any better than anyone else – he just thinks he is.
And as for tent city – the sheriff stayed in a tent for a short time – so of course he did ok with it .
Try LIVING in one in the Arizona heat.
A little kindness goes a long way .
I imagine that the prisoners would be in better spirits living like human beings – and there would be less arguments and fighting.
Just my opinion – so dont be hating on me – if you dont like what I wrote – just ignore it .
When you come to this country illegally with the intent on committing crime and living off the dollars of honest, taxpaying American citizens… you forfeit your right to be treated ”humanely” as you define it.
AMEN!
amen brother Harvey. Paula is unaware of the word “Illegal”. For anyone who has traveled outside the US knows if you are in any country Illegally then you will go to prisons which are far more inhumane then our in the US.
opinions are like but holes, everybody’s got one.
REPLYING TO PAULA just curious how much time did you spend in sheriff Joes tent city ?
Humanely? What is humane about these criminals? They had choices. Now, they have to pay for making the wrong choices. They are living better than some of our troops who are fighting to protect us from the inhumanity of others.
There are so many people that have some sort of comment about the bad job that they think Sheriff Joe is doing. They offer statements like, “he treats these prisoners inhumanely.” Not one of the, including you, can come up with a plan to do it better, cheaper or at the same cost as the tent city. I for one hate the fact the billions of dollars go into taking care of gang bangers, killers, rapists, illegals, and the like, in prison. That money could be put to good use with honest, law-abiding citizens. It is a Felony to enter the U.S. illegally. Anybody else that commits a felony and is convicted, can get a prison sentence anywhere from 3 years to life in prison. These illegals are no different, and if they are housed in Sheriff Joe’s Tent City, it is probably better than where they lived before they crossed the border illegally. And, if when they are in Tent City, and they get into a fight, I guess it is proof of the criminal element that they really are, so should be treated exactly as they are. Extreme heat is not a life threatening situation, that is what lots of water and exercise is for. I was in the Army, and had to do 30 days at a time in a tent in Fort Sill, OK in Late June, July, and August, the hotest times of the year. Sometimes it was as much as 130 degrees in those tents, which is the same type of temperatures as Arizona. We had our full Battle-Rattle on, with flak-jackets, LBVs, helmets, etc. We had to drink plenty of water, stay busy, but got little rest. So we, and thousands of other soldiers could do it in those extreme situations, then those criminals and illegals can do it with their flimsy pink shirts and pants. I have no remorse for them, just like the killers, rapists and other criminals show no remorse for the crimes they commit. Have a great day!!!
Amen James, Perfectly stated.
I totally agree, good for sherrif Joe, you got my vote too!
Boo Hoo! As a Marine I did spend time living in a tent in the middle of the desert. I spent weeks in the field where there wasn’t any showers hot chow or other comforts of home. This was peace time training. Right now we have several thousand of our troops fighting a war they had no choice in. It’s what we do in the service of our country. These people came to our country ILLEGALLY period. As Far as I’m concerned all of these criminals should be locked in small cells with nothing but bread and water until they are tried, convicted, serve their time then deported with the warning that if they are caught again they face life in prison or execution as enemies of our country. They have no rights as criminals. As for being humane what I see is better than what poor people have. I would rather be spending the money spent on illegal invaders through social outlets and our taxes be spent on those US citizens that really need it. As for your right to your opinion your welcome I’m sure all of the people who died to keep this country free will appreciate your freedom of speech.
semper fi thank you
I’m ignoring it..
They are called prisoners for a reason! “Prisoner rights” is an oxymoron and I say this with a son serving hard time. The last time he got arrested and asked for help I replied “well, it can’t be that bad, you keep going back!” Three hots and a cot, basic medical care is all they deserve, if that. Of course, they could also trade places with a soldier in Afghanistan……
Please get over yourself. Do you realize what our troops have been through while fighting in the deserts of the middle east? They have to spend months living in tents in the midst of intense desert heat. Why should CRIMINALS be treated any better? I know that no one is perfect, but these people have committed serious crimes and must be punished for it. If police departments all across the nation would do the same thing Sheriff Joe is, people would be even more afraid of breaking the law and going to jail tan they are now.
I’ll bet you voted for Obama.
I ment that for Pauline
Maybe the “visitors” in tent city should have tried a little “kindness” instead of committing a crime. And, yes, being in this country illegally IS a crime. Regardless of what you like to think, we have laws here. “All people deserve to be treated humanely”. Maybe we need to know what your definition of “humanely” is. And unless you have personally spent some time there, how do you *know* that they are not? As a victim of a crime, I really don’t care how good their spirits are. My spirits have suffered for 50 years. But That doesn’t seem to be a concern for you. You are entitled to your opinion, but there is a difference between hating and anger. Go figure. And this is my opinion. If you don’t like it, too bad.
Oh, in English when you use a contraction, you should also use an apostrophe.
I can not ignore the crap you wrote, first of all every person thats in jail for what-ever reason IS a dog, thats why their in jail. You think they should be treated “humanely”? Were they “humanely” when they put a knife to someone’s throat demanding there car, or when a sixteen years girl was gang raped. Was that being ‘humanely”?
The difference between a “mistake” and a crime, is completly different lady, look it up!
And personally, I dont care what kind of “spirits” the prisoners are in, I have lived in Arizona heat for 24 years. Its not going to hurt them.
i think Sheriff Arpaio, should stay in office as long as he wants, he’s the best. He has more support then the Goverment thinks. I will and have voted for Arpaio as long as he’s in office.
And this is just my opinion, and no I can’t ignore stupid people
t
Stupiity can not be ignored. Be kind you get smoked by illegals! DUH
If the criminals hadn’t done something ILLEGAL they wouldn’t be in tent city!! Our Military suffer in worse conditions and crappy pay but they do it without complaint! There are law abiding citizens in this country who struggle everyday to make ends meat and people including children who go for days without food or shelter or air conditioning or tv. Boo Flippin Hoo how those CRIMINALS feel!!! I don’t feel sorry for them. You do the crime suffer the consequences. Way to go Joe for doing a great job protecting our borders when the President and all his clowns won’t!!
Thankfully you’re in the minority. You don’t matter. The country could use a lot more heroes like Joe!
Sheriff Joe Arpaio: doing the job the Feds won’t do
Paula, if your want your comments to be ignored, then don’t post at all. Do you live in a vacuum? The way he treats “people”, you mean “criminals”. Yeah, lets put them inside with cake and free cable, lets reward them! I like your way, its a nice jail. F**K THAT!
I agree. we’ve maid our jails into country clubs for criminals. screw them they are there to be punished not rewarded. They do not deserve what hey have now. Time to take away these rewards and give them what they deserve.
I support Joe Arpaio 100%, Arizona better keep him there in office, or we will try to get him here in Oregon. We need his type of enforcement.
Every prison needs to be like this one……. even for the ones that commit white-collar crimes !!
Paula Kline– I’m just ignoring it…
Joe is the best!!!! I would jote him for president!!!!
Wish we could “clone” Sheriff Joe for every county, every state….things would be a lot better & safer. Way to go Joe !!
way to go Sheriff Joe!! Keep up the great work!! Keep locking them up!!! We support you 150%!!!!!
Everyone seems to be focusing on illegals with this, but illegals aside (I think those should just be deported and the borders secured, most of them are ignorant people who never got an education and believe what anyone in their country will tell them about coming here) this method should be used for all americans who commit crimes. You have all these american citizens who are fully aware of our laws and still break them left and right, because jail is a picnic and they’re out in a few months anyway. It’s ridiculous.
There is a reason Joe set up tent city with 1 hot and a cot. So these people would realize that jail is not a country club. Its not fun city. And maybe, just maybe, they won’t commit any more crimes to be sent back to that tent city. RECIDIVISM is a serious problem – seems those in jail like going back to jail. Why? Because its easy living, no real responsibilities. But Joe, he’s making sure its not fun city!
Illegal means breaking the law. Those that come into our country without documentation, going through the necessary steps to get permission to come into this country to visit, to work, to go to school, to live here are NOT welcome here. They absorb our resources, without really giving back as in Paying Taxes. They go to our hospitals, get free medicene, and send money home to their families so they can come over here illegally.
We the people – pay taxes. Illegals do not pay taxes. (Presumably their employers who should be prosecuted, deduct taxes from the illegals wages, but do not pay the taxes).
GET IT?
Joe….you are doing a great job! If my Arkansas voted counted….you would certainly have it! You would definetely make a great kick ass President!
California jails spend $54k per inmate per year of its tax dollars. Working a graveyard shift 40 hours a week I barely make $18k a year. And people wonder why California is in a deficit and crime is so high. Good thing dad didn’t raise me to be blind to the truth or a fool to add to the problem.
Sheriff Joe for President !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow so many of u are so ignorant .. Do your research before u come on here and post stupid comments.. Joe is an idiot and a criminal himself . Watch what his outcome will be .. And for all the military people saying you have been in worse conditions .. That was by choice u signed up and u knew what u were getting into so get over yourselves. On top of that you were getting paid to live in those conditions .. Like Paula said people make mistakes and our prisons are over crowded with people who shouldn’t even be there especially petty marijuana charges .. So your telling me that a person should be treated like an animal because they are a “criminal”? Most of the people in tent city are non violent criminals and have a DUI or a possession charge or illegal immigrants with no minimal or no prior records .. Do some research on how many laws mr Joe has broken with civil rights , something our country Was founded on.. Fuck Joe !!! And Jan brewer while I’m at it!! I could go into detail why Joe is a horrible human being but it would be too much to type on here ..
I guess anonymous must be a pot head with a possesion charge and a Dui in their past or they wouldn’t be so offended by hard time!! If you do a crime you do not deserve a spa vacation. It’s jail time you moron not easy street.