Pinal County Sheriff makes 2nd pitch for stimulus money

Pinal County is trying to fight crime by increasing the number of deputies on the street.

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"Because of our location we are the main corridor between Mexico and the Valley," Sheriff Paul Babeu said Friday.


Pinal County Sheriff makes 2nd pitch for stimulus money
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Almost every day the Pinal County Sheriff's office is catching drug runners and human traffickers.

"This is a major issue for us in Pinal County and Arizona," said Babeu.

In fact, deputies have seized over 5,700 pounds of marijuana in the first two and a half months of 2009.

During the same time in 2008 deputies seized 2,705 pounds of marijuana. In 2007 the numbers were lower with deputies seizing 750 pounds.

But the sheriff said they could do more if they had more deputies.

"Our staffing shows that we're short hundreds of deputies based on our population," Babeu said.

Earlier this year Babeu submitted a proposal to the Pinal County supervisors board. He was asking for the approval to apply for a grant from the federal government. He wanted 30 new deputies. But the board said 'no.'

"I was quite shocked and disappointed," said Babeu.

On Friday Sheriff Babeu stood in front of the board again with a new proposal for 15 deputies. This time they said 'yes.'

Now the application goes to Washington in hopes that some money will make its way to Pinal county.