State of Arizona Archives: on Crime
Blake Masters:
A society that permits mass lawlessness is doomed
A society that permits mass lawlessness is doomed. We are on that path. Crime is through the roof, police are under attack across the country, and politicians and journalists dismiss deadly mob violence as "mostly peaceful protests."
Anyone who breaks the law should be arrested and tried and sentenced. It's time to get serious, so that Americans can go about their lives knowing they're safe and secure.
Source: 2021 Arizona Senate campaign website BlakeMasters.com
Jul 19, 2021
David Garcia:
Prisons are costly substitute for mental health treatment
Under Ducey's failed leadership, Arizona has risen to 4th highest in mass incarceration in the nation. Mass incarceration is a tremendous social and financial drain on our communities. Arizona's jails and prisons have become an inefficient and costly
substitute for addiction and mental health treatment; and money that could go to public education, healthcare, and community-oriented crime prevention instead goes to prop up a failing prison system.Arizona's corrections system is in shambles.
The recidivism rate has risen to an all-time high of 50%. Incarceration of women is on the rise, with the majority of women behind bars for non-violent, low-level drug offenses. We cannot continue to waste money--and lives--propping up
this failed system.
We aren't going to build a better future for our state by tearing families apart with counterproductive--and costly--prison sentences. Investments in early childhood education can lead to reduced incarceration later in life.
Source: 2018 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website dg4az.com
Mar 21, 2018
Deedra Abboud:
Community policing will decrease crime & tensions
Law enforcement history in the United States has had its ups and downs but the one method that has consistently worked is community policing. Knowing the community municipalities serve helps decrease crime and de-escalate tensions.
Adequate resources need to be provided for our police departments so that community policing can be reintroduced across the nation in order to avoid the situations we are hearing about all too often.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com
Dec 12, 2017
Deedra Abboud:
Stricter punishment doesn't reduce crime
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?
A: Oppose.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate
Mar 5, 2018
Doug Ducey:
New legislation should require rape kits to be tested
Yet right now, in just Maricopa County alone, there is a backlog of 2,300 rape kits that sit in storage, uninvestigated. All across our state, women await justice, and predators evade the law looking for their next victim. Today, I signed an Executive
Order establishing a special law enforcement team to solve this injustice. My budget will allocate dollars to start the process of clearing these backlogs. I want a plan, to be followed by legislation that requires every rape kit to be investigated.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Arizona legislature
Jan 11, 2016
Doug Ducey:
Move to community based corrections and counselling
And, if we're serious about reducing recidivism--and reversing the growth of our prison population, let's begin by building on the model already working in Pima County: a community corrections center, providing tough love and on-site drug treatment and
counselling.It's time we bring this to the state's largest county, where the most people are transitioning back to life in our community. Let's give them a second chance so they stay clean and never end up back in prison.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Arizona legislature
Jan 11, 2016
Doug Ducey:
Fully fund rape test kits, to finally ensure justice
Public safety will always be our top priority. We addressed an injustice long ignored: The backlog of untested rape kits in our state. The problem was so bad, we didn't even know how many existed. So we committed to fixing it, and already there have
been two indictments as a result of this important work. My budget fully funds the testing of all remaining rape kits. And we are ready to move forward with legislation requiring all future kits to be tested. Let's get this done, and for the thousands
of women who have been victimized, finally ensure justice.My budget will also include an investment in improved cyber security. We couldn't accomplish any of these achievements around public safety without the work of our law enforcement
agencies throughout the state. We are truly indebted to the thousands of women and men who wake up every day and put on blue. Our cops, working 24/7 to keep Arizona safe, stop the bad guys, and hunt down the criminals.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 9, 2017
Doug Ducey:
Decreased recidivism means a state prison can be shut down
We've provided more opportunities and we've decreased the amount of people returning to prison and helped many find meaningful work.
There's another marker we are going to meet this year. We're shutting down a state prison.
Source: 2020 Arizona State of the State address
Jan 13, 2020
Doug Ducey:
Attacks on law enforcement and rising crime rates correlated
If you are an elected official charged with overseeing a police department and you don't believe there's a correlation between the attacks on law enforcement and rising crime rates nationally, you need a reality check because you're putting public
safety and human life at risk. We intend to keep Arizona a place where we honor and value our cops and all of law enforcement, including correctional officers and first responders. A place where public safety matters. No riots. No smash and grab.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 10, 2022
Doug Marks:
No victim, no crime
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?
A: No, we need to redefine what a crime is. No victim, no crime.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate
Mar 5, 2018
Frank Riggs:
Endorsed as former cop & prosecutor
Frank Riggs, a former California Congressman who wants to be Arizona's next governor, is "proud" to have the support of recalled State Senator and scandal-magnet, Russell Pearce. Riggs' news release quotes Pearce as saying, "After long and serious
deliberation, I'm proud to support former police officer and U.S. Congressman Frank Riggs for Governor. I know Frank Riggs will use all the means at his disposal to defend our border and protect our citizens from the costs and damages associated with
illegal immigration and border crimes by those who break our laws."But even conservatives like Riggs can't be very proud of Pearce's Fiesta Bowl scandal or the sham candidate he appears to have fielded in the 2011 recall campaign. Riggs says it's true
that "recall elections are tricky." Riggs adds that as a former police officer and deputy sheriff, he feels a professional kinship with Pearce, also a former deputy sheriff.
Source: Phoenix New Times on 2014 Arizona gubernatorial race
Jul 7, 2014
Gabby Giffords:
Support alternative sentencing; provide inmates job skills
Indicate which principles you support to address crime. - Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
- Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
- Support programs to provide
prison inmates with vocational & job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
- Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
- Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
Source: 2000 Arizona State National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2000
Jan Brewer:
In State Legislature, pushed truth in sentencing
Brewer spent 14 years in the Arizona State Legislature, first as a state representative from 1983 to 1986, and then as state senator from 1987 to 1996. Brewer helped to win passage of numerous landmark reforms that continue to serve millions of
Arizonans today, including tax relief and budget reform; truth in sentencing; open enrollment, school report cards, and charter schools; clean air and water legislation and state trust land preservation.
Source: Arizona Secretary of State website
Dec 3, 2008
Jan Brewer:
Reduce crime by punishing criminals
Crime and violence in Arizona continue to trend downward.
Arizonans have reduced crime by punishing criminals, and not by infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
Jane Dee Hull:
$1.1M to collect DNA samples from all prisoners
We are applying new technology to protect our citizens. Last year, we enacted a bill to obtain DNA samples from persons convicted of murder, burglary and crimes causing serious injury. DNA is our cutting edge tool for solving crimes.
That is why I am recommending $1.1 million to collect and analyze blood samples from virtually all state prisoners.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 8, 2001
Jim Lamon:
Guarantee law enforcement qualified immunity
- Ensure legislation supports effective law enforcement.
- Guarantee law enforcement qualified immunity.
- Provide the resources to fully fund, equip and train our men and women in blue (police) and green (border patrol) for their dangerous work.
- Eliminate the underhanded financial influence from Soros and others on the election races for attorney-general and district attorney appointments.
- Find and prosecute cop killers--no matter whether inside or outside the US border.
Source: 2022 Arizona Senate campaign website JimLamon.com
Apr 20, 2022
Joe Arpaio:
Chain gangs and tents for inmates, and no smoking nor porn
Arpaio has between 7500-10,000 inmates in his jail system. In August, 1993, he started the nation's largest Tent City for convicted inmates. 2,000 convicted men and women serve their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound. It is a remarkable
success story that has attracted the attention of government officials and media worldwide.Of equal success and notoriety are his chain gangs, which contribute thousands of dollars of free labor to the community. The male chain gang, and the world's
first-ever female and juvenile chain gangs, clean streets, paint over graffiti, and bury the indigent in the county cemetery.
Also impressive are the Sheriff's get tough policies. For example, he banned smoking, coffee, movies, pornographic magazines,
and unrestricted TV in all jails. He has the cheapest meals in the U.S. too. The average meal costs between 15 and 40 cents, and inmates are fed only twice daily. He even stopped serving them salt and pepper to save tax payers $20,000 a year.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website www.MCSO.org
Aug 26, 2016
Joe Arpaio:
Convicted for a decade of racial-profiling practices
Why Joe Arpaio was found guilty: It followed a decade-long case against the sheriff for racial-profiling practices in Arizona, during which Arpaio was ordered to stop targeting Latinos for traffic stops and detention."Not only did Arpaio abdicate
responsibility, he announced to the world and to his subordinates that he was going to continue business as usual no matter who said otherwise," wrote US District Judge Susan Bolton in the July 31 order finding Arpaio guilty of criminal contempt.
Source: CNN Politics on 2018 Arizona Senate race
Aug 24, 2017
Joe Arpaio:
Inmates get second chance with GED education in jail
The School of Hard Knocks took on a literal meaning for many juvenile inmates in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's jail. Inmates at the Jail graduated from Arpaio's "Hard Knocks High," a program developed to educate juveniles charged as adults. The program was
established by Arpaio. "While it is by no means an ideal learning environment, some inmates who've received their GED diploma say it is the first time in their lives that they've completed something that they could be proud of," Arpaio said.
Source: AZ Family.com on 2018 Arizona Senate race
Sep 30, 2010
Justin Olson:
Strong supporter of law enforcement professionals
Justin is a strong supporter of our country's law enforcement professionals. While the radical left cries to defund the police,
Justin will firmly back the blue so our police officers can continue to keep our communities safe.
Source: 2022 Arizona Senate campaign website VoteJustinOlson.com
Mar 16, 2022
Karrin Taylor Robson:
More funding for police & keep qualified immunity
I support our officers. I do not support Defunding the Police or "reallocating" resources. More resources will provide for more staffing and equipment; improve training; build stronger community relationships and reduce crime. In addition to more
resources, we will guarantee our law enforcement officers always have qualified immunity. As Governor, if any city or town defunds the police, I will work with lawmakers to ensure that community loses its allocation of state-shared revenue.
Source: 2022 Arizona Governor campaign website KarrinForArizona.com
Jun 24, 2022
Katie Hobbs:
Reform Dept. of Corrections, kept inmates past release dates
Reforming The Department Of Corrections: A source of controversy in Arizona, the Department of Corrections needs reform to cut wasteful spending. Recent reports revealed the Department of Corrections was keeping inmates past their release dates and
failing to provide rehabilitation programs to thousands who could return to a productive life. Hobbs will investigate these issues, implement policy to ensure tax dollars are not wasted, and reform the corrections system.
Source: 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website KatieHobbs.org
Dec 20, 2021
Katie Hobbs:
Will work to reform Arizona's antiquated sentencing laws
Katie will create a Governor's panel, composed of diverse community leaders, to inform criminal justice reform policymaking and build grassroots support for meaningful change.Katie will work to reform Arizona's antiquated sentencing laws; provide
additional funding to support re-entry into society; work with local law enforcement to address systemic racism in policing; and improve the sentencing provisions to encourage more frequent use of alternative sentences.
Source: 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website KatieHobbs.org
Dec 20, 2021
Mark Kelly:
We need to reform policing, not defund police departments
In a written statement to The Arizona Republic, Kelly's campaign spokesman said Kelly does not support defunding police departments. "Mark believes we need to reform policing, not defund police departments," a spokesman
said. "He knows the inequalities in our justice system and throughout our society require action, transparency, and independent oversight to end misconduct and discrimination."
Source: The Arizona Republic on 2020 Arizona Senate race
Jun 12, 2020
Mark Kelly:
Address racial justice issues threatening Black lives
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Mark Kelly: Mostly yes. Would reform policing with "action, transparency, and independent oversight," and would address "racial justice issues in our country that threaten Black lives."
Martha McSally: Mixed. Supported incentives to not use chokeholds, add more bodycams, and improve de-escalation training, but not to ban chokeholds or no-knock warrants, or make it easier to sue for police brutality.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Arizona Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Martha McSally:
Criminalize harassment in military, keep commander's role
McSally, who was sexually assaulted while serving in the Air Force, will push legislation to focus on criminalizing sexual harassment in the ranks and ensure that each military base has a lawyer who advocates for victims.
McSally also said she stands by the commanders' traditional role as the arbiter of prosecutions for sexual assault.
Source: USA Today on 2020 Arizona Senate race
May 11, 2019
Martha McSally:
Incentivize not to use chokeholds, but against banning them
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Martha McSally: Mixed. Supported incentives to not use chokeholds, add more bodycams, and improve de-escalation training, but not to ban chokeholds or no-knock warrants, or make it easier
to sue for police brutality.
Mark Kelly: Mostly yes. Would reform policing with "action, transparency, and independent oversight," and would address "racial justice issues in our country that threaten Black lives."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Arizona Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Matt Salmon:
Supported creating Victims' Bill of Rights
Arizona Department of Public Safety summary of HB2412:In 1990, Arizona voters passed an initiative creating the Arizona Victims' Bill of Rights. The following year legislation was implemented guaranteeing specific rights for
crime victims including the right to be present at criminal proceedings, to be heard in court, and to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.Legislative Summary:Passed Senate 28-0-2 on May/30/91; State Sen. Matt Salmon voted YES.
Source: Department of Public Safety on Arizona voting record HB2121
May 30, 1991
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023