FLORENCE — Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu is declining a security detail after his department said the Sheriff has had "credible" threats against his life.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office issued a news release Monday saying that Babeu's outspoken statements about border security have led to such threats.
The Sheriff's Office said Babeu declined the security detail for budget reasons and because of limited staffing.
Chief Deputy Steve Henry said they have information of additional threats from the Mexican Mafia and drug cartel members that placed a 'green light' on Babeu's life.
Henry said threats against the Sheriff by foreign born criminals raise their concerns to a new level.
hillstreet posted at 8:00 am on Tue, Jul 6, 2010.
Pinal is not even a border county. Do you know how many sheriffs and police chiefs speak out against the cartels everyday along Ca, Az, and Texas border? Cops are threatened every day; only difference is we do not call the newsapers....
SunWorshiper posted at 9:29 am on Tue, Jul 6, 2010.
Hillstreet: Pinal County was kind of designated "closer to the border" once the Fed Govt put up the Danger - Keep Out signs for the US Citizens in that area. Aren't those signs about 80 miles from Mexico border? Seems to me, it is also the county that the deputy was shot and several agencies went in to find him and also came across over 100 illegals in very small area. I also believe I-10 and I-8 intersect in that county or very close to their boundary and the I-8 area.has had an awful lot of drug/smuggler activity. Pinal County, not being "right" on the border probably doesn't have staffing levels/funding of Maricopa or Pima. And isn't it DPS that announced heavier freeway patrols from CA to New Mex borders until further notice. There has to be a reason for that.
hillstreet posted at 10:00 am on Tue, Jul 6, 2010.
If we used that criteria, all AZ counties are "border" counties as they all have crimes involving illegals. DPS is supposed to be on the freeways; they slacked off for some time now and I rarely see units between Tucson and Phx. This is the new director putting more units in the field and visible.
SunWorshiper posted at 1:12 pm on Tue, Jul 6, 2010.
True, hillstreet, probably all AZ counties have crime associated with illegals. But more than likely those illegals have already settled in the area. Not like in Pinal where they are still making their path into the US through those areas....or just passing through to make their meet-ups or deals. Apparently, the Sheriff in Pinal is hindering their purpose.
Masterrogue666 posted at 3:39 pm on Tue, Jul 6, 2010.
According to "King" Obama, the border is safer than it was 10 years ago. So, why are Foreign nationals allow to invade our country DAILY?
hillstreet posted at 5:51 pm on Tue, Jul 6, 2010.
I assure you the sheriff's office in Pinal is not hindering the cartel in the least bit. They know they will lose a few loads, it's the cost of doing business. And they are NOT running their loads just thru Pinal but every county and border state.
The cartel's profit are immense and Babeu is about as annoying as a gnat to them, that is why I supect this threat had been exagerated, if it ever occurred.
The real problem is securing the border, going after taco vendors is not going to accomplish anything.
carrielproctor posted at 11:16 pm on Tue, Jul 6, 2010.
I don't understand why our sheriff is being targeted when so many other officials are supporting SB1070. Nobody should have a threat against their life for supporting a bill. I support our sheriff all the way. He is great at his job and I hold much respect for him.
exit526 posted at 5:16 pm on Wed, Jul 7, 2010.
Sunworshiper, when you get a straight story out of Babeu. let us know. Crime fighting for Pinal County is done in Pinal County, not on every media outlet shilling for the McCain-Kyl 10 point plan "that I helped formulate." Formulate this!
Sure, you will get news inquiries being a sheriff. But Babeu goes to them, and often. Don't hear much from the real four border sheriffs, do we? Sure, they are politicians too, but they happen to find time to do the jobs they were elected to do. Can't do that while you are in the green room flossing. Quiet, on camera in five seconds.
hillstreet posted at 5:28 pm on Wed, Jul 7, 2010.
Exit526- Right on, you get it, buddy. This buffoon is a media hound and I believe nothing that comes out his mouth. This story stinks. No one is targeting this prima donna; bet you the heads of the Mexican cartels don't even know who he is. Babeu is a politician, not a lawman (look at his history)
hillstreet posted at 5:43 pm on Wed, Jul 7, 2010.
Exit526- You get it, buddy. This media-created character knows how to bait the lamestream media and they go for it every time. Oh poor me, I am threatened by the cartel but I am macho man, don't need security (why put out a press release then?). This dude is no lawman but he IS an expert politician and a master at media manipulation.
All politicos look for an angle, a hook, a gig, something that will remind the short-memory-impaired public of who they are. Arpaio has a big mouth, goes after everybody who pisses him off, plus a hometown media anxious to publish anything he says. Pearce and Brewer had immigration and a big city media. Babeu had squat, no real media and most people don't even know where the county is. That did not bode well for the future Congressman. Oh my, what to do?
Illegals! That's it, that's the ticket!!!
SB1070 was a godsend to Babeu and he is milking his new found fame for all is worth. Nothing going on in the Pinal desert for years, all of a sudden we have desert shootouts with smugglers and death threats from cartels, all in the space of one month!!! Will anyone be surprised by the next major "event" in Pinal county, all brought to you live and in color by PCSO?
I feel sorry for the people of the county who thought they were electing a sheriff (all 3 years worth of experience) and ended up with a politico wearing a uniform. Better luck next time Pinal.
miraclegro posted at 9:06 pm on Wed, Jul 7, 2010.
If the Mexican Mafia and the drug cartels really wanted Sheriff Paul Babeu dead the Pinal County Board of Supervisors would have already re-appointed Chris Vasquez sheriff. Its time the sheriff who can't shut up in front of the cameras got a red-light for his mouth.
forkedlift1 posted at 3:34 am on Thu, Jul 8, 2010.
Hillstreet, thanks for sharing your keen observations of Babeau (reinforced here by others.) Your insight is especially credible because you're a cop yourself and can see how a glory hound will play to the gullible general public.
First time I heard Babeau's name, I think it was last year some time, is when he jumped on publicitiy-hound Arpaio's bandwagon to assist in one of Arpaio's costly and worthless "sweeps" in southeast Mesa and environs that crossed the county line.
I imagine Babeau, to begin paving his own inside track to glory, must have called Arpaio with a "Hey buddy, we can do this together."
I do recall reading a newspaper columnist's similar assessment of Babeau, comparing him to Arpaio as a publicity hound, calling him the "new Arpaio" or something similarly derisive, but more polished than Arpaio. But a law enforcement insider such as yourself has a clearer vision of publicity antics than the general public and the media who are more likely to be snowed by law enforcement politicians and charlatans.