I find it interesting the number of Arizona folks who are captivated and fascinated with sex crimes. It’s like they can’t get enough of it. I hear constant talk about the media-created, soap-opera-like atmosphere surrounding the Jodi Arias murder trial. People are fascinated with the sex talk and titillating tales of what Arias and Travis Alexander did before she admittedly murdered him.
No doubt the media loves it. Sex sells and — media-driven voyeurism sells really big in Arizona!
In an opinion piece in last Saturday’s Arizona Republic, Cindy McCain – wife to Sen. John McCain and a highly-successful business executive and known global humanitarian — stated that “Phoenix is a major hub for this activity and is often listed as one of the top spots in the U.S. for child sex trafficking.”
Imagine that, Arizona as a top spot for child sex trafficking.
When you consider Arizona’s continued lack of a strategic statewide plan and effective state agency to take on the organized crime elements that sell kids for sex, Arizona is a great spot trafficking in children.
I wrote in my March 5 Tribune column (“Recent Valley freeway snarls only part of the issue with DPS”) that “Without a centralized and coordinated effort like was once the case with DPS taking the lead in organized crime investigations, the public suffers and the criminal’s profit. No wonder organized crime loves Arizona.”
While the public’s anti-crime focus is kept on the border and billions and billions of dollars are spent to intercept illegal aliens and drugs — to questionable success — organized criminal activities continue to flourish on our city streets. Human trafficking whether it is for sweatshops or the sex trade has always been a major profit center for organized crime.
In Arizona, it’s no secret among law enforcement officials that the streets are controlled by gangs with ties to the Mexican mafia prison gang and Mexico based organized crime groups.
For whatever reasons, Arizona’s policy and lawmakers continue to ignore the threat these groups present to Arizona’s sustainability and quality of life. The legislature’s neglect of statewide law enforcement efforts is legendary. When you look at its recent performance, it’s easy to see how Arizona went from being one of the best in attacking organized crime to being a state that’s a major destination and transshipment hub in organized crime’s North American supply chain.
McCain pointed out in her op-ed piece the legislature’s latest gift to crime and criminals was House Judiciary Chairman Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, refusing to schedule a hearing for a bill to help law enforcement target the growing problem of child prostitution. House Bill 2569 would have created “higher penalties for pimps and traffickers than for johns when the victim is 15, 16 or 17.
“This bill is relatively simple and straightforward, and just the start of legislation needed to address the larger problem of human trafficking in Arizona,” she added.
Kiddie pimps would be looking at up to 37 years in prison had this bill moved forward and become law.
McCain pointed out “Sex traffickers target children because of their vulnerability and gullibility, as well as the market ‘demand’ for young victims. Studies show pimps prey on victims as young as 12.”
Farnsworth’s refusal to hold a hearing killed anti-organized crime legislation that would help police and prosecutors attack Arizona’s flesh mongers.
But what else would you expect from our legislature’s leadership — a group that has made ignoring Arizona’s crime problems its usual way of doing business?
McCain is known for her courage. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty doing what’s right. It’s too bad our legislature doesn’t have the same commitment and courage to protect Arizona’s children and communities from organized crime, and sexual predators.
Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@cox.net.
downtownresident posted at 11:28 am on Thu, Mar 21, 2013.
This is typical of the self-centered, "What have you done for me today$$$$" attitude of these morally bankrupt clowns we have elected to "lead" us.
If big business wanted stricter sex crimes laws, we'd have them already.
But, with nobody willing to fork over any bribe money, the boys like Farnsworth won't be bothered.
chatmandu002 posted at 12:01 pm on Thu, Mar 21, 2013.
Richard,
I thought the feds had control of child sex crimes. Seems to me that all the internet child porn is prosecuted through the feds. If AZ did a child sex law and agency wouldn't some liberal/progressive/open border/ACLU types sue them in court, claiming that the federal government has control of this type of enforcement.
chatmandu002 posted at 12:02 pm on Thu, Mar 21, 2013.
Sorry, I mean Bill.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 12:13 pm on Thu, Mar 21, 2013.
Sex crimes are horrendous, life changing events that affect the victim and the victim's family.
Here are some "Rape Statistics" that were sent to the Arizona Dept. of Public Safety (the DPS) from local Law Enforcement Agencies and then forwarded to the US Department of Justice and the F.B.I.
Years 2002 - 2011
Number of Rapes that occurred in the City of Mesa for these 10 years = 1,480
Number of Rapes that occurred in the City of Phoenix for these 10 years = 5,102
Number of Rapes that occurred within Maricopa County (MCSO) for these 10 years = 302.
I HAVE ASKED THE ABOVE "COLUMNIST" EX-MESA MASTER POLICE OFFICER....BILL RICHARDSON.....TO GIVE THE READERS OF THE EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE THE NUMBER OF RAPISTS WHO COMMITTED THESE...1,480 RAPES...IN THE LAST 10 YEARS........THAT WERE...."CONVICTED" ....OR AT LEAST APPEARED IN COURT.
MR. RICHARDSON'S COLUMNS ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH PERPETUATING HIS ON-GOING "VENDETTAS".....AGAINST SHERIFF JOE, SHERIFF PAUL BABEU, THE TEMPE POLICE DEPT. , THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS), THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.
SIMPLE QUESTION, MR. RICHARDSON.......HOW MANY OF THE 1,480 RAPES CASES THAT OCCURRED IN YOUR PREVIOUS EMPLOYER'S JURISDICTION (THE MESA PD)............WERE BROUGHT TO ..........JUSTICE....HOW MANY ??
billrichardson posted at 1:00 pm on Thu, Mar 21, 2013.
Chat,
Feds have limited jurisdiction over sex crimes. The vast majority are prosecuted in the county Superior Court. Cases are prosecuted everyday without lawsuits and the ACLU causing trouble.
zorgalfish posted at 1:20 pm on Thu, Mar 21, 2013.
I literally have no idea what your argument is, Mr. Richardson. A remarkable feat in 700 words. Can anyone clarify for me what in God's name Cindy McCain has to do with anything? Also, you make a wide variety of statements that are unsupported by any actual facts. For example: "In Arizona, it’s no secret among law enforcement officials that the streets are controlled by gangs with ties to the Mexican mafia prison gang and Mexico based organized crime groups." Can you back up this ridiculously sweeping claim? The streets are literally *controlled* by these criminal Mexican gangs? Seriously. Until facts come into the discussion, this is just more Republican fear mongering. And why no mention of Sheriff Joe's utter failure to investigate and follow up on hundreds of sex crimes?
Accuracy posted at 10:29 am on Fri, Mar 22, 2013.
Sex Trafficking is a growing crime in the United States – young girls and boys, some from traditional, stable families, are lured into the sex trade and end up being bought and sold by men. Arizona House Bill 2569 would close the loophole for children who are victims of sexual predators – being bought for sex – and mandate a steeper penalty for pimps.
Cindy McCain is speaking out through the media for HB 2569, and asking why the Arizona legislature is not demanding an explanation from Arizona House Judiciary Chairman Eddie Farnsworth – why he killed the bill by refusing to schedule a hearing.
Bill Richardson clearly summarized it; “McCain is known for her courage. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty doing what’s right. It’s too bad our legislature doesn’t have the same commitment and courage to protect Arizona’s children and communities from organized crime, and sexual predators.”
Poorman posted at 1:18 am on Sat, Mar 23, 2013.
Good question Billy boy,ask ur old buddy Dino,about that maybe he knows.