Rebecca Jimenez

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is feeling the ire of two candidates for county positions over a vote Wednesday that could remove the town of Guadalupe from the protection of the Maricopa County sheriff's office.

Dan Saban, running for sheriff, and Ed Hermes, aiming for the District 1 supervisor seat currently held by Fulton Brock, both blasted the board after it voted to prematurely terminate the agreement Guadalupe has with the county that secures it policing from the sheriff's office.

The contract was not set to expire until 2010, but tensions rose after then-mayor of Guadalupe Rebecca Jimenez criticized Sheriff Joe Arpaio for a "crime suppression sweep" that was seen as unfairly targeting Hispanics and aimed at rounding up illegal immigrants. Jimenez threatened to terminate the contract at the time, and Sheriff Arpaio called her on the threat, resulting in the Board of Supervisors vote Wednesday.

Saban and Hermes were quick to respond to the 3-1 decision.

Guadalupe Mayor Rebecca Jimenez had accused Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of racial profiling in her community during April crackdowns of illegal immigrants.  Yesterday Jimenez was pulled over by the sheriff’s deputies and ticketed for a cracked tail light and driving without proof of insurance.

Jimenez has been threatening to drop the Sheriff’s office who currently provides law enforcement services for Guadalupe.  Inside Edge assumes this may speed up that process a little.