Light Rail becomes "Con Rail" (Phoenix, Mesa: crime, credit)

[AzDreamer]

I don't see the problem for light-rail riders. It's not like great migrating herds of prisoners are going to be taking every seat on the train. Occasionally there is going to be a sheriff deputy and his prisoner. The remaining seats will be available for regular passengers and most of them probably won't even know there is a celebrity on board.

If it saves the county money and doesn't cause a disruption then what's the problem? Are folks mad because the sheriff didn't kow-tow to the mayor before announcing this?

[miamiman]

Arpaio does not have to put these prisoners on the train. There is an area, where police can park FOR FREE, to escort prisoners to and from the airport.

Arpaio needs to stop abusing his power, and needs to do his job. Between his show on the Fox Reality Channel and now parading criminals around on public transportation, it is clear that he needs to be replaced.

[wng]

Originally Posted by miamiman

The just proves how much of a fraud light-rail is. Now people are supposed to give up car trips to ride on public transportation with criminals.

I have stated that light-rail will become a moving ghetto, and this just proves it to be true. What a waste of money.

I'm forced to agree with you. Where ever mass transit goes, so does a a drop in the quality of life along its route. It's subsidized transportation for those who can't afford personal transportation. Gives access to low income groups to outreaching areas.

I've been supportive of Sheriff Joe's efforts and firm hand against criminals. But to toss the public in the fray and get caught in between political and potentially damaging and dangerous situations by mixing convicted criminals and the general public on a shared train is just ludicrous.
I hope the sheriff 's hubris does not get the better of him. He serves the public, not the other way around. His support will drop if he puts his desires over the good of the populace he's out to protect.

The talk of firepower being enough for any potential situation is silly. Who's is going to accept a gun battle ensuing on a train full of passengers??
Are the paying riders supposed to put up with lewd remarks and stares from the prisoners? You want your daughter or wife on such a train?
You want to use the light rail system....go designate a special secured car for the purpose, with few barred windows, secured doors and pens. If a break-out attempt is tried by prisoners or cohorts intercepting the train enroute, the public are not on board.

[AzDreamer]

Originally Posted by miamiman

Arpaio does not have to put these prisoners on the train. There is an area, where police can park FOR FREE, to escort prisoners to and from the airport.

Maybe the sheriff wants to save the county money by using mass transit instead of driving a personal vehicle. It costs a lot to maintain a vehicle, parking and gas are only the tip of the iceberg. If the train is cheaper and goes where they need to go then why wouldn't they use it?

I sense there are other reasons for some of the negative reactions to this proposal. Are there some folks that don't like any idea that the sheriff comes up with regardless of the merit?

Prisoners are often transferred on commercial flights. Has anyone ever heard of any problems?

[buckeyenative01]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Sheriff Joe was on the tube last night with a statement similar to "escapes happen - get used to the idea". His whole demeanor seemed vindictive. I do hope this idea dies for lack of a second. The citizens of Arizona have invested a large amount of money in this project and their votes and efforts deserve more respect than this.

Seems to me, Joe, that one of you and your deputies' job is to, oh I dunno, MINIMIZE/PREVENT ESCAPES FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE

Didn't watch the news last night, but the soundbite played on KTAR this morning, he sounded really pissed off at the airport for whatever reason.

Whatever. I hate his approach to law enforcement, his disregard of the public whom he's supposed to serve (yet somehow the ungrateful bastard keeps getting re-elected) and the constant attempts to seek out media attention (no, I don't think prisoners should be coddled so don't even start with that "You're a liberal p*ssy" crap), not to mention the tax money wasted on god-only-knows what (has anyone, including the County Board of Supervisors, ever seen the annual budget reports, or is Joe still hoarding those somewhere in his office atop the Wells Fargo tower?)

[MaxPower123]

Arpaio says he'll do this to save money on parking.

“Law enforcement officers park in a secure location at the airport and the officer and their prisoners are transported by Phoenix Police to their airline gate,” Deborah Ostreicher, Deputy Aviation Director for Sky Harbor, said in an e-mail. “The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office currently (uses) this service.”

But it looks like Joe already parks for free.

Arpaio demonstrated the plan Tuesday evening by transporting an inmate on the light rail while surrounded by members of the media.

Ah, now we know why he's doing this.

Sheriff's Office to transport inmates via light rail

[zenkonami]

Originally Posted by silverbear

I normally have enormous respect for your posts, but you've completely lost me on this one. This is nothing but yet another publicity stunt by the Sheriff. It's also a political ploy used by the Sheriff to get back at his political rival, Mayor Gordon. It's also questionable whether this will improve security. I can't imagine it will make a favorable impression on the 850 people a day who use the rail-to-airport connection at 44th / Washington.

Yes, but in the spirit of some other people on these boards, I'm just testing the waters of public outrage

[buckeyenative01]

Originally Posted by MaxPower123

Arpaio says he'll do this to save money on parking.

But it looks like Joe already parks for free.

Ah, now we know why he's doing this.

Sheriff's Office to transport inmates via light rail

Which leads me to wonder what the hell $70,000 a year paid to the airport is being spent/wasted on?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by buckeyenative01

Which leads me to wonder what the hell $70,000 a year paid to the airport is being spent/wasted on?

Cinnabons.

[buckeyenative01]

Originally Posted by ponderosa

cinnabons.

:d