Chasing Corn Vendors

Normally, fireworks are shot off at night.

This morning is an exception. Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris decided he wanted to light up the morning sky across this state with a very public challenge of Mayor Phil Gordon. It worked, the sparks are flying.

The Arizona Republic scored an interview with Harris in which he boldly disagreed with Gordon, questioning the Mayor's decision to change police policy to allow officers to check on immigration status of suspects.

Harris adamantly opposes that approach and instead prefers a policy that allows illegal immigrants who seek to live in the darkness to go undetected. He prefers his employees, our police officers, not ask someone in their squad car whether they are in this country legally. The chief says that would create too much work and distract cops from investigating more serious crime.

The chief isn't mincing words. Instead he's seeking a public showdown.

How about this flame thrower from the chief:

"Do you want me to take the people that were working the Goudeau case and have them chase corn vendors?"

Ouch.

Chief Harris is not an idiot. He knows how risky today's show of disagreement is for his future as Phoenix's top cop. And, he clearly feels passionately enough about the issue to put his chips on the table.

"If you were in my position, would you take those very limited resources and divert them to go after landscapers and dishwashers because they're in the country illegally?"

"Sorry. I've been a cop for 36 years. I disagree with that concept," Harris said.

Here's the problem, though.

Chief Harris works for us.

You see, if he was the head of a private security firm, he would be fully entitled to disregarding the public will and deciding policy based on only his experience and his opinions.

But, when you work for the government, the boss is the public. And, there can be no confusion about what the overwhelming majority of residents of this city and this valley want done regarding immigration.

I respect the chief's opinion. I expect someone in his position to offer their perspective from years on the street and behind the desk. He knows better than any of us what impact this policy change will have on his cops. There is great value in his opinion.

But, at the end of the day. The public gets to decide. And whether he, you, or I agree with the majority's view on this subject doesn't matter.

If there's one thing the people of this state have been consistent and outspoken about it's illegal immigration. They're sick of it. They want every possible effort taken to stop it.

The public has spoken.

It's time to chase the corn vendor.

Comments

[Joe Jacari]

The important part is that you pay your taxes and fines and when pulled over by the police you had better have insurance and registration, or else!

Mexicans can and will do whatever they want to do with impunity. Driving without is insurance is fun and cheap. Being illegal and doing it makes it a rush knowing you're about the law and high & mighty.

There is a two-tiered legal and economic system in America: one for illegals who can do whatever they want, and one for the US citizens who must fight the wars and die, pay the taxes and have a cardiac arrest, and then get thrown in jail and lose our licenses when caught driving after having a glass of wine with dinner.

You can thank Mayor Phil Gordon and the police chiefs at the local level here in the city.

Only Sheriff Arpaio is standing up to the Mex riff-raff.

Watch the mad scramble for job "Americans won't do" as the recession deepens and we are thrown out of work.

Try paying a couple hundred dollar vehicle ticket when you have no job or low wages. It's hard to do.

But, if you're an illegal alien, America is yours. No laws apply because you are superior. It's nice to be special and illegal. I wish I was too!

[rocklizard]

I am a born and raised Arizona Native and have watched this illegal immigrate problem develop from the beginning.

This past year I have noticed an increase in the number of Mexico license plates attached to vehicles here in Phoenix. Yesterday I counted 5 vehicles in a span of 15 parking spaces. I just wonder how many of these people have insurance on their vehicles and are legal residents. I bet not a one. So could this be their way around the MVD laws here in the state of Arizona? Probably so. I wonder if the vehicles indeed match the Mexican regisration. Come to think of it does local law enforcement have a way of checking.

[Joe Thomas]

It is not so important that they ask them if they are illegal or not. what is really the problem, is the fact that the City of Phoenix, including Police officers, are turning their backs when an illegal breaks any laws. Numerous times i have seen car after car with no visible form of registration displayed pass right in front of Phoenix Offcers and they are never stopped. I am sure they also have no valid drivers license or current insurance etc. etc. All these things that we are required to have. They drive cars that are not fit to be on public roads and get away with it day after day. Maybe we all should just quit paying for licenses, registrations, insurance and fire all the Phoenix employees.

[dwoophx]

Simply put it's called selective enforcement! Harris doesn't want to go after illegals because there's no money in it for them. He'd rather place the DUI patrol in from of respectable bars where taxpayers are known to frequent and entrap them rather than patrol cars in the neighborhoods where crack houses are well known and random gunfire & gangbangers are commonplace. I've spoke to many Phoenix cops and they say Harris was a great cop but has forgotten where he came from. Not all illegals are bad people but they are ILLEGAL and have broken the law, it's not like the police are going to go door to door. Crime rate and illegals go hand in hand, maybe not directly but majority of the time there is a connection. Saying he has a choice to go after killers or cornpickers is a G.D. copout (excuse the pun). And if your people were so busy ignoring illegals, why did it take so long to catch him? His day is coming, I wish I could take my vote BACK!

[Herb]

Chasing corn vendors is much more important! The Baseline Killers were only taking out other bad people! These corn vendors are taking money from us...money that we could be using to buy Wie's and other important items.
Let's not just arrest them. Let's shot them on the spot. Taking them out will illeminate the problem of any later return! Turn Sherrif Joe lose. Let him use deadly force to get rid of these dish washers, landscapers and corn vendors. It won't take long for the message to be clear. We have thousands of legals who are waiting in line to take those jobs.