Arpaio to Transport County Inmates Via Light Rail?

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's new system for hauling prisoners on Metro light rail isn't being met with universal praise.

Arpaio spun the plan as a cost-saving measure when he unveiled it to the media on Tuesday. He calls it "Con Rail," and it lets deputies ride the new rail line to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport so his office can save money on parking.

One issue: The airport says parking for law agencies is free.

Officers transporting prisoners can leave their cars at the Phoenix police's airport bureau. The officer and prisoner then ride to the terminal in a bureau police car.

"Nobody pays to park there," airport spokeswoman Deborah Ostreicher said. "That's where the police cars park. They have a few spaces in there. They open them to fellow law-enforcement officers."

Arpaio's office apparently hadn't heard. It has been paying to park at the airport - the maximum fee is $25 a day - since its free parking cards were canceled in 2007 to open spaces for airline passengers.

Under the gun to cut spending, along with the rest of the county, Arpaio decided rail transportation could save a few dollars. His spokeswoman, Lisa Allen, said that every dollar counts in cutting a budget that last year was $289 million.

She estimated that the office spent $25,000 last year to park at the airport. Arpaio estimates the office will spend $72,000 for airport parking during his current four-year term.

"There's not one person over here with the understanding that we have any free parking at the airport," Allen said.

Arpaio's announcement that he would begin using the train to move prisoners caught Phoenix by surprise. Allen said top Phoenix officials called Tuesday after the press release hit to offer "whatever you need" to resolve the parking dispute. Meanwhile, calls and e-mail messages started to filter in to Metro from worried passengers.

"It comes down to them not being comfortable putting themselves or their families on the trains," Metro spokeswoman Hillary Foose said.

"I can't speak for the sheriff or his office, but public transportation is not a controlled environment, and it is not intended for this kind of use."

Deputy City Manager David Krietor, who oversees aviation and other city units, said that Phoenix would have preferred to deal with the dispute directly rather than learning of it via press release.

Still, he said, the top priority is making sure "law enforcement can operate effectively at the airport."

Allen said the issue may not be free parking, but the number of spaces the department is assured. Con Rail stays in business until a deal is worked out.

The office moved one prisoner by rail Tuesday, none Wednesday and possibly may do a few more today.

Allen said the worst criminals are moved by private vehicles, so rail passengers shouldn't worry.

"No one can usually tell who the deputy is and who the prisoner is," she said.

Via AZcentral