Morning Poll: Was New Times Wrong in Prematurely Publishing Info About Joe Arpaio's Jail Shakedown?

As we noted last week, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was more pissed off at New Times than usual after we prematurely published information about Friday's Tent City jail shakedown (billed to be starring Under Seige II star Steven Seagal) after his office had asked the media to wait until...

By James King

March 14, 2011

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As we noted last week, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was more pissed off at New Times than usual after we prematurely published information about Friday's Tent City jail shakedown (billed to be starring Under Seige II star Steven Seagal) after his office had asked the media to wait until the shakedown was already underway before publishing anything about it.

If you're unfamiliar with the shakedown, click here and here.

The sheriff chastised a New Times writer who attended the ~~publicity stunt~~ press conference, saying things like "what's the matter with you people," and "don't you guys have editors over there?"

The sheriff feels that publishing information about a jail shakedown before the shakedown is underway could compromise the safety of his detention officers.

As New Times' Feathered Bastard pointed out to Arpaio's PR flack, "you can protect the safety of employees by NOT calling a news conference."

We want to know what you think: is Arpaio's whining justified?

Cast your vote below.

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