Sheriff of Year in Arizona Makes Violent Predictions

Reported in the East Valley Tribune this week, Pinal County has a celebrity in their mists as their sheriff; Paul Babeu was named 2011 Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriff's Association. The award will be presented to him during their annual conference meeting in June. The national association, reflecting on his accomplishments for the past two years are recognizing his efforts to combat illegal immigration and drug / human smuggling while the elected sheriff in one of the hottest counties in Arizona. The sheriff has been most popular ever since he walked the border fence with United States Senator John McCain during the election television ads. He is also a co chairman of the border sheriff association. His high profile status has drawn national attention as an upcoming politician recognizing his publicity tactics and his news bulletins have drawn a magnetic force behind his attempts to secure the border. [1]

Recent reports by the sheriff include predictions of future armed conflicts with members of the Mexican drug cartel within the borders of his Pinal County line, some 80 miles from the border. Perhaps stating this self fulfilling prophecy will give the sheriff something to talk about on his frequent television visits to speak to the citizens of Arizona as he boldly stated he adamantly feels this imminent threat to his area of responsibility will create a street war or worse. Sheriff Babeu, speaking at a Ahwatukee Republican Women's organization said "We're expecting a conflict," Babeu told the Ahwatukee Republican Women's organization at the Grace Inn, 51st Street and Elliot Road. "I absolutely believe you're going to see that happen in the next 30 to 60 days. It's not like I'm trying to start a war with the cartels. They're coming through like they own this place, and we're trying to stop them. I pray that every time, they surrender." [2]

During this speech in Ahwatukee he added he created an outspoken relationship with the federal government due to his stance on the border and the federal government's failure to secure traffic coming across the boundary lines saying "The federal government has literally become an enemy who is fighting us, and I have not been afraid to fight them," he said. Interesting fact about this meeting was his statement that there was " A significant percentage of illegal immigrants caught in Pinal County are from countries other than Mexico, including "countries of interest" such as Yemen, Somalia and Syria.

He likened the cartel's activities in the U.S. to a foreign insurgency. During this interview with the paper and women's association Babeu said "The core problem is an unsecured border," Babeu said. "I've asked (President Barack Obama) to give me a half hour and I'd give him the solution to the border. He hasn't called me back." He accused Napolitano, Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder of "throwing up their hands and saying, '˜We can't do it'" and of portraying local authorities as racial profilers instead of as protectors and enforcers of the law. "We do have the answer to secure the border. It's not beyond us. That is literally un-American for them to say that," Babeu said. "How have we arrived at this point in America, that it's the job of the local sheriff to fight cartels from a foreign country?" As for the drug cartels, he said, "I want to say to them publicly, '˜you're not coming through.'" [2]

Sources:

[1]http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/cop_shop/article_41ab1a3a-2b11-11e0-a04d-001cc4c03286.html

[2]http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/the_valley/ahwatukee/article_84445c26-2a76-5142-9e18-d75806a20638.html?mode=image#