Governor moving ahead with plan to close ADJC despite legislative opposition

(Posted: Feb. 3, 2010)  

In the past 24 hours, it has become apparent that Gov. Jan Brewer remains determined to close the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections in July 2010. 

AZCOPS has learned from sources close to the situation that she is moving forward with this action, regardless of the expressed wishes of the Legislature. This week, the House voted 58-0 in support of HB 2131, which will extend the operations of the department to July 2015.  

The bill now goes to the Senate, and ALL AZCOPS MEMBERS should send email in the coming hours to every member of the Senate encouraging them to support the bill. 

Tell Senators:

•  * Gov. Brewer is on a mission to cripple public safety in our state by playing a shell game -- shifting the tax burden from the state to the counties with no apparent regard for the repercussions to our communities.

•  * Closing juvenile facilities will put the burden on counties to house and supervise violent teenagers -- a costly endeavor that will require most counties to significantly increase taxes. In the meantime, these violent criminals will return to their home counties where without proper supervision, they will be a bigger threat to the public's safety.

•  * Arizona taxpayers have already spent millions of dollars to fund Juvenile Corrections -- an agency that is repeatedly recognized for excellence. Tell your elected officials a vote FOR the bill will help keep their communities safe. 

Enlist family and friends to make phone calls and send email. It's simple...just use the SHARE button below to forward this email to a friend. To make sure your email is read, DO NOT send group emails as they will be deleted. Be professional in your communication with elected officials. Avoid sarcasm and anger as these tones dilute the urgency and importance of the message.