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Phoenix Mayor Under 24/7 Police Watch
New York Daily News via YellowBrix
May 27, 2010
PHOENIX – Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon is under 24/7 police surveillance after receiving a slew of death threats against him following his opposition to the state’s tough immigration law, the Arizona Republic reports.
Gordon has called attention to the possible economic hit Phoenix could take if boycotts and lawsuits pile up in the wake of Senate Bill 1070, which Gov. Jan Brewer signed last month, forcing state and local police to enforce the federal government’s immigration laws. One threat leveled was death by sniper fire, a city police official said.
“They’re talking about wanting to kill him, punch him,” Jeff Hynes, who oversees the security detail for the Phoenix Police Professional Standards bureau and is a 30-year police veteran, said.
“This is a (suspect) who’s maintained a consistency to his threats,” he told the newspaper.The mayor said he cannot leave the sight of his bodyguards, not even to go food shopping, during the three weeks of his stepped-up security detail.
The city won’t reveal details of Gordon’s increased security, though Hynes said the police were using overtime to help defray the costs. He said the city usually spends about $500,000 a year to protect its mayor.
Judicial Watch, a Washington-based non-profit against government corruption, is looking into the matter, which has already called the security measure “excessive.”
“He’s not the president of the United States,” Tom Fitton, the organization’s president, said. “He’s a local mayor and this is basic information we’re asking.”
america_health
about 3 years ago
248 Comments
I support Gov. Jan Brewer because enough is enough. Sometimes you have to say NO!
3rdwatchguy
about 3 years ago
298 Comments
Define unjust. The way I've read the the law it allows local and state LEO's the ability to enforce existing Federal law and only if a seperate offense or situation occurs that brings into question the status of the subject. The law is not to be used to directly seek out illegals for enforcement purposes. Yes, immigration enforcement is Federal territory. But, to wait for the Feds to try something effective is a long wait for a ship that will never come in.
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
My hat is off to the Mayor as well as the Police officers that are suing the State of Arizona to overturn this unjust law.
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
Seems excessive but without the whole story, it's hard to make an informed decision about this one. Thumbs down for his unsupportive views of a law that will help protect and defend the United States though.
Baxter2
about 3 years ago
1846 Comments
Perhaps if the Lord Mayor would attend to his duties at city hall that he was elected to do, and not be such a vocal opponent of the Governor and Legislature of Arizona, then he wouldn't need security and body guards. Certainly he is entitled to his opinions, but he should focus on tending to his Mayoral duties and accept the fact that the overwhelming majority of Arizona citizens are in favor of their new law.
copper380
about 3 years ago
2026 Comments
Bump Retleo
wildsoldier
about 3 years ago
1246 Comments
Is it not true that politicians who we elect are suppose to do what we (THE PEOPLE) want not the other way around I hope they IMPEACH HIS ASS.....
TGOOS566
about 3 years ago
218 Comments
yea you know Pheonix looses alot of police officers a year, and i have to say being from tucson az 1 officer lost to any kind of death is one to many, elected officials deserve the protection of its local area, however, i do not agree with putting a $500,000 detail on the mayor, yes he has the right to voice his opinion about that law, although i agree with it, its about time we start taking care of the illegal immigrants causing crimes in our cities in arizona and fleeing back to mexico. i want to add that the PPD officer killed yesterday, where was the other officers assigned to the precinct, i'm not sure where in phoenix he was i havent read the whole story, but this immigration law and the security detail for the mayor is just blown way out of porportion.
clobster
about 3 years ago
1552 Comments
Robo, I disagree. Anyone affected by a law can say it's wrong and oppose it. It's the right of the people.
I love and hate politics at the same time. Yeah, this law has a lot of differing opinions, but there's no need for death threats or trash talk. I guess it would be too much to ask everyone to come together and make a better law that they can all agree on.
OFFICER_K_CPD
about 3 years ago
2296 Comments
Thats because hes surrounded by the very people his opinion effects lol
Robocop33
about 3 years ago
14378 Comments
Well, first off he has no business making statements that a Federal and State Law is wrong etc. $500,000 to protect him is pretty damn high IMHO. You only need one cop to watch over him. Doesn't look like he will be re-elected though, does it.
JJ1
about 3 years ago
70076 Comments
Can't take the heat then leave office, because the threats could be made for any stand he takes against policy, law, etc
kweikman
about 3 years ago
798 Comments
It's amazing how one person's opinion can anger so many!
Gombino
about 3 years ago
2660 Comments
$500,000 a year to protect a mayor? He must be VERY unpopular.
Retleo
about 3 years ago
5522 Comments
The Immigration Law situation is a hot topic that definitely has both side agitated and heated arguments are to be expected. Unfortunately issues like this also bring out the most extreme nutjobs in both camps. One has to wonder though, is the threat level real, or is it just the Mayor hyping things up to get attention for his political agenda, or the local anti-immigration-law set stirring the media pot? The article notes that the Mayor has received a "slew of death threats" yet they only cite one specific case (not even adding a number to the other alleged threats). There is definitely something missing from this article!