Joe Arpaio's Armed Patrols of Schools: Are They Harmless?

Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced yesterday that his armed citizen-patrols of schools will continue for a second school year.In other words, some old geezers will be armed and doing laps around schools in the MCSO's jurisdiction...

By Matthew Hendley

August 13, 2013

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Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced yesterday that his armed citizen-patrols of schools will continue for a second school year.

In other words, some old geezers will be armed and doing laps around schools in the MCSO's jurisdiction.

See also:
-Joe Arpaio's Armed Patrols of Schools to Continue for Another Year

Arpaio's NRA-approved posse patrols went without any serious incidents last year, when Arpaio instituted the program in response to the Newtown, Connecticut, elementary school shooting.

New Times did a ride-along with a 69-year-old posse member last year, as we took laps around an Anthem elementary school at about 15 mph, seeing nothing in particular.

It's hard to imagine one of these fellows -- who just happens to have a lot of availability during weekdays -- in a position to save innocent schoolchildren from some murderous madman. Some would say that it couldn't hurt to have them out there.

Here's our question this morning: Are Arpaio's armed posse-patrols harmless? Or could something go seriously wrong, having that many wannabe heroes out there around schoolchildren?

Cast your vote below:

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Follow Matthew Hendley on Twitter at @MatthewHendley.

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