On Oct. 7 following the sixth and seventh murders of two small children who'd been on "the radar" of local police and Arizona Child Protective Services, Gov. Jan Brewer ordered the establishment of the Arizona Child Safety Task Force to examine the state's current policies and practices when it comes to protecting children.
Kids who have been seen by CPS workers and law enforcement officers after reports of abuse and neglect and who are then further abused or even murdered by their caretakers has been an ongoing and tragic chapter in Arizona's history.
Considering Arizona's high unemployment rate, cutbacks in social services, health care and an endless supply of illegal drugs, crimes against children are only going to get worse if serious changes aren't made in how Arizona carries out child protection.
Many blame CPS for the statewide failure. For years the agency charged with protecting children has been continually underfunded, understaffed and had its mission micromanaged all courtesy of the state Legislature.
Others blame law enforcement agencies that are also cash strapped, undertrained and that have increasingly had their public safety mission dictated by legislators hell-bent on their own personal and political agendas.
While funding mechanisms have been created and millions and millions of tax dollars have been directed by the Legislature at the pet projects of key legislators and politically popular sheriffs, critical statewide law enforcement duties, including an increased response to the growing problem of child abuse, have been horribly neglected, underfunded and even unfunded by those with the power to make a difference.
In the last two years the Legislature has swept $1.8 million dollars from the state agency responsible for training law enforcement officers in the investigation of child abuse. While Texas offered over 60 three-day courses in the investigation of child abuse during 2011, Arizona offered ZERO! Arizona also has no statewide system to track those who physically and sexually abuse children and who can easily move from jurisdiction to jurisdiction undetected.
Officials from multiple agencies involved in the issue have told me of situations where there aren't enough CPS workers to work in partnership with law enforcement and other supporting agencies. CPS workers have told me of law enforcement officials being unable to respond to calls involving neglect and abuse and not being able to accompany workers on cases where a crime may have been committed against a child.
Law enforcement agencies across the state have long been the only agencies that are available to respond 24/7 to a call for help from a child or a concerned citizen. They, like CPS, can only do their jobs as well as they're staffed, trained and funded.
Over the last 15 years, dedicated judges, prosecutors, CPS workers, physicians, nurses, private contributors and local law enforcement agencies have taken it upon themselves and worked extremely hard to address the complex needs of those who have been neglected and physically and sexually abused.
Arizona's first advocacy center for abused children and victims of sexual assault was opened by the Mesa Police Department in 1996 by now retired police chief Jan Strauss, who investigated and supervised investigations of child abuse cases as a detective and sergeant. Now there are 18 locally run advocacy centers statewide where law enforcement works side by side with CPS, prosectors and medical professionals. The Mesa model that's received national acclaim has shown repeatedly when local law enforcement and other concerned parties work together and share resources, the chances of protecting a child are greatly enhanced and highly successful.
Even though the new state task force has a major effort ahead of it, there are proven models of success and funding mechanisms available to pull agencies and personnel together to be able to move rapidly in the right direction to protect children statewide.
Now Arizona, and especially the state Legislature, needs to follow Gov. Brewer's lead and make preventing and investigating crimes against children a statewide priority.
Masterrogue666 posted at 9:53 pm on Sun, Dec 11, 2011.
Gee Bill, are you ready that afraid to debate with me?
Masterrogue666 posted at 9:09 pm on Wed, Dec 7, 2011.
I almost forgot, isn't it funny WHOM is calling for Arpaio to step down: Raul Grijalva! Gee, I wonder why! Could it be that it's because Arpaio supports FEDERAL LAW (unlike Obama). What I found ironic was when Raul Grijalva comments included the words "Selective enforcement"! Isn't that EXACTLY what every Pro ILLEGAL ALIEN Supporter wants, the Sheriff to ignore SPECIFIC lawbreakers? Sorry to disappoint, but the MAJORITY of Americans finally have a clue to what's going on, it want the status quo to change....
Masterrogue666 posted at 8:56 pm on Wed, Dec 7, 2011.
Mr. exit526 is the one that is incorrect. I clearly quoted the entire statement which included "popular sheriffs" in it. However, I did mention Bill's WELL KNOWN HATRED of Arpaio, which you obviously share.
I noticed that you didn't mention anything about MY POINT regarding programs that have helped the community/state AND saved money. Heck, tent city saves Maricopa's citizens money like crazy. There are several other programs that Arpaio has started. Some even help give inmates a skill/trade so that they have something that may help them gain employment once out of the system.
As for KJDaVinici's comment, I'm aware of MCSO failure in El Mirage. I read the article in the AZ Republic (on line). Here's something you must have missed:
"Local media outlets reported in the spring that the Sheriff's Office failed to adequately investigate more than 400 sex-crimes cases, including dozens in El Mirage, over a two-year period because of poor oversight and former Chief Deputy David Hendershott's desire to protect a key investigator from bad publicity. The problems with the cases and Hendershott's motivation to protect an investigator were detailed in a lengthy report released in May that resulted from a months-long internal investigation Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu conducted. Hendershott and two other administrators in Arpaio's office were fired as a result of damning findings by the Babeu investigation."
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/12/07/20111207joe-arpaio-state-lawmakers-calls-for-resignation.html#ixzz1fuaBhZ2D
So, Hendershott was the person most directly responsible for what occurred. Did Arpaio take action? Yes, he fired him. If Arpaio didn't take action, then perhaps I'd agree with you on some of you opinions. However, in this case, you "knowledge" of me is inaccurate (as well as the "whitewashing"). See like you are the one that doesn't have a clue....
KJDaVinci777 posted at 12:35 pm on Tue, Dec 6, 2011.
AZ526, your comments are only 99.9% correct...Baboso and Arepiojo can best be described as EVIL, and self serving...just read todays articles on Arpios people whitewashing crimes against children, but that is not a surprise after you read the love letters written by his commandopes...Fox and company...Leon and 666 are like Obama - they do not have a clue...
exit526 posted at 8:36 am on Mon, Dec 5, 2011.
MR666 and Leon both were incorrect.
Mr. Richardson clearly wrote "politically popular sheriffs" but you seem to have missed his use of the plural of sheriff.
Arpaio AND Babeu might be the politically popular sheriffs. Neither are addressing significant problems and both are grandstanding regularly for the media and for their hoped for voters. Yes, politically popular. Please do not unfairly leave Babeu out of things.
Other accurate terms for the two could include: Inefficient, corrupt, careless spender, ego driven, not accountable and not transparent.
Mr. Richardson is talking about child abuse prevention. Instead of following that theme, we get tugged by you two into discussing hate and yes, the continuing Sheriff Buffoonery that does seem to get Mr. Richardson's attention. And it should.
But this column was about the welfare of our children. There are critical funding needs and there are shortages. The money sweep by the legislature and the gifting of Babeu in his private war are established facts, not a declaration of hate by the writer.
Surely, the Trib would be open to either of you writing about things you feel are important and then you could choose or not choose to write "without blaming the problem, directly or indirectly, on Sheriff Arpaio" or "Sheriff Babeu" or "Bill Richardson."
Rather than his comments being a personal hatred for any individual, I regularly see in Mr. Richardson's writing a unique pursuit and discussion of things that he feels need to be discussed. A spirited pursuit and discussion at times? Certainly. But not hateful against anyone.
Relax. 'Tis the season.
Masterrogue666 posted at 11:37 pm on Sat, Dec 3, 2011.
Actually Leon, sorry to inform you that you are incorrect. And I quote Bill:
"While funding mechanisms have been created and millions and millions of tax dollars have been directed by the Legislature at the pet projects of key legislators and politically popular sheriffs, critical statewide law enforcement duties, including an increased response to the growing problem of child abuse, have been horribly neglected, underfunded and even unfunded by those with the power to make a difference."
The key words were "politically popular sheriffs". Bill needs to swallow that "Hate" pill! I doubt he can write one article without blaming the problem, directly or indirectly, on Sheriff Arpaio.
Gee, Bill, I guess programs like "Have a heart" and the Sheriff's Posse (all-volunteer citizen posse) aren't good enough? There are other programs I could mention, but I think my point is made. Your hatred of Arpaio seems to be all consuming! Bill, you need to take a long, hard look at what your hatred is making you do.....
Rich posted at 7:22 pm on Sat, Dec 3, 2011.
Dale,
"·There is suffering in life. Suffering comes from ignorance which leads to craving, grasping and clinging. We can become free from suffering and achieve happiness." Buddha
The problem comes from the fact that the government uses our suffering as a excuse to take from us to cure everyone else's. Fail at it while taking the wherewithall we need to cure our own.
Dale Whiting posted at 2:07 pm on Sat, Dec 3, 2011.
Bill,
You and I both know Jan Strauss and knowing her, she had taught us about this problem. Too bad that few of the above commenters have known Jan, and fewer yet know first hand of this problem.
billrichardson posted at 8:16 am on Sat, Dec 3, 2011.
samkat,
Thanks. In some of my older columns I refer to what your son has told you. State raised kids turning to a life of crime and confinement in order to survive and get the needs Maslow says a person has to have to survive. We're manufacturing failure on a grand scale in Arizona and we have the failed schools, social services and prisons to prove it.
KJDaVinci777 posted at 12:09 am on Sat, Dec 3, 2011.
somekat: No, I bypassed the GED and graduated from a university...unlike you, mental giant Brewer and your corrupt Sheriff who might have a high school diploma.
Also fyi - I did not sell, use or buy marihuana, cocaine or alcohol while obtaining my degree. Can you and Obama make that statement? What about GED Brewer?
.
samkat posted at 9:44 pm on Fri, Dec 2, 2011.
kj: Did you ever qualify for your GED?
Now, with that said, Bill you do have a point about CPS needing more funding as well as an overhaul (my comments). What I find interesting is that the pro life conservatives can pass laws regulating morality on everyone else and yet we have over 10,500 kids in CPS care looking for a loving home. Where are these morally corrupt legislators and their followers when it comes to taking care of the unwanted kids they claim to revere? Unfortunately, too many of them will turn 18 and be turned onto the streets whether they have graduated high school or not. These kids will have no safety net and no job skills or education to prepare them to cope in an uncaring world. Far too many of them turn to crime to survive. My son works for the department of corrections and he talks to a number of them. The stories are pretty much the same.
KJDaVinci777 posted at 7:56 pm on Fri, Dec 2, 2011.
WOW! Bill, I cannot believe the comments by Leon and Rich...Please do not tell me they attended Penn State...Since you did not mention Baboo and Arpio --I will-- and I only have one question...based on Arpios ability to select "commandopes "and the rumor mills on Baboos back east preferences---would you trust those two buffoons to babysit your kids or better yet -to conduct a child abuse case? I know the answer, but you can educate the Penn Staters if you want to...By the way, Perry is on his way out with the endorsement of the GED Sheriff...I heard he will drop him as soon as the FBI indicts him and his I did not know what they were doing "predators" -- Anything new on the love letters by sly Fox and Arpios "hand" selected" CORRUPTOS "?
Rich posted at 6:31 pm on Fri, Dec 2, 2011.
Let's see here . What are we supposed to pay for today? It's getting to be absurd. Mayoral candidates who want to build a swimming pool in a stagnant desert pond, being told we are somehow 'unAmerican' if we don't take care of the poor, an appeal of where you can open a tattoo parlor, tracking all that wildlife, a holiday DUI taskforce, medical care for county workers, we have to do more ACCSS recipients, widows and orphans of police officers; twenty-six offices and a really cool van to 'fight fraud' And that's just what's hanging around on this site today. Now this, we have to horn in on the lives of every parent and child in the state. Because, well, frankly, about the only way you're going to prevent child abuse, and spanking might even be covered there, is to install closed circuit T.V. in every home with a child in the state. Be sure you pay your taxes now, there's so much to do. Of course you can't afford it, there isn't enough money in the world to afford all of it. But don't let that stop you, the state is rife with insensitive rich folk, we need swimming pools in stagnant pools and certainly the state should step in to make sure children never, ever get spanked. Hey, turn your wallet inside out, it's the American way.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 9:17 am on Fri, Dec 2, 2011.
Wow....a whole column and not one disparaging remark about Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu...we are finally seeing some progress Folks.....[smile]
Now if we could only see some "progress" on the Anti-Republican front..oh, well...part of the pie is better than none....
Maybe a little old-fashioned truism is needed..."You can attract a lot more flies with honey than vinegar".....[wink]