Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 18:55:17 -0700 From: r.destephens@WORLDNET.ATT.NET (Richard DeStephens) Subject: Tempe Calling--- My short report. To: AZRKBA@asu.edu
I called many different City of Tempe agencies (library, City Manager, City Atty, Police, Court, Mayor). Most were clueless.
Finally I got hold of Officer Roger Clay who is the Policy Analyst (480-350-8727). He had a working knowledge of the old (pre HB2095 policy) and the new (not yet quite written policy). The reason is that he wrote the last one and will write the next one...when it is decided.
They are having meetings now.
This means that we are possibly right in the middle of this and can insert ourselves into the process thus giving them some decent advice. The timing of this means that Tempe is our main focus (that does not mean we can't call the other cities as well).
Those of you in Tempe (or nearby cities).
Go get a copy of ARS 13-3102(A)(10), and 13-3108. Read them. Understand them.
Then call up the City and engage them and try to get involved in the policy process.
Be prepared to be dicked with. Heck, if we are lucky, they will put you on a "citizens committee" which comes with the warning: "Prepare to be dicked with."
The persons who will be directly responsible with policy construction are Chief Tranter (sp) and Asst Chief Jay Spradling (I have voice mail in to Jay).
Here is the deal. The old policy (pre HB2095)was to have PD come and check your weapon and take it to the Property Impound room. It would then take 2-3 days to get it back. The new policy (ETA unknown, perhaps under two weeks) will do something different, but Officer Clay could not or would not say what it might be.
I suggested that at places which had legitimate security concerns (courts, PD, even Council chambers) they could check and spend the bucks on lockers. But it is unnecessary to invoke the checking statute at libraries where there are no other security for we the sheeple. I also remarked that the city policy if disarming their employees was a Welcome mat for criminals.
I also scolded several people for not including groups such as Arizona Rifle and Pistol Assoc in their discussions since it is the gunnies who would be inhibited from it. His response was that the City found that when they included such groups in the discussions that the groups would not usually consider the liability concerns of the situtation. I asked, "Oh, they were only concerned with protecting their rights, right?" He answered sheepishly in the affirmative.
I'll have a more detailed report later.
Here are the numbers if you want to call
Court 480-350-8454 City Atty 350-8227 Library 350-5500 City Manager 350-8403 Mayor 350-8225 Police 350-8306 Roger Clay 350-8727