Cochise County Sheriff Advocates for New Jail
Sheriff Mark Daniels discussed the need for a new jail in Cochise County during an interview on Friday. He mentioned that early voting has begun and that county voter pamphlets have been sent out. He urged residents to support a jail district measure that will appear on the ballot on November 4.
“It’s important to have facilities like prisons,” Daniels stated, encouraging voters to review the information provided in the pamphlet. He acknowledged that there’s a legal challenge to the measure, which will be addressed by a judge in Yavapai County, but he emphasized his office’s commitment to securing voter approval regardless.
The sheriff cautioned that if the measure does not pass, the county could face rising operational costs, particularly from having to transfer inmates to other facilities. “If our current jail becomes non-functional, we would need to move inmates, and that can get quite costly,” he explained. He highlighted that such transfers place both financial and operational strains on the system.
Daniels noted that early voting had concluded and that voters should have received the county’s informational brochure. He characterized Cochise County as a community that historically supports law enforcement and expressed confidence that voters would make well-informed decisions.
He also raised concerns about public safety after two deadly motorcycle accidents occurred over a few days. He recounted an incident where a driver fled but was apprehended several hours later. He urged both drivers and motorcyclists to be conscious of each other’s safety.
“Most fatalities related to floods happen in vehicles,” Daniels said while discussing various weather-related dangers, pointing to issues of reckless driving. “It’s vital to slow down. There are gore lines, stop signs, and red lights for a reason,” he added.
In relation to local events, Daniels promoted the Cochise County Sheriff’s Charity Ride slated for November 1. He reported that over 500 participants are expected, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting local charities, including the “Shop with a Cop” program. He highlighted the raffle of Can-Am vehicles to support fundraising efforts and encouraged individuals to purchase tickets online or sign up on the day of the event through the Sheriff’s Office website.
Lastly, Daniels addressed the ongoing federal government shutdown, criticizing Congress members for continuing to receive paychecks while federal employees are adversely impacted. “Congress continues to receive their salaries,” he remarked, pointing out the political deadlock and underscoring the county’s ongoing security obligations.
Various stakeholders commented on voting measures discussed in the KWCD First Watch program, along with their legal status, anticipated voting timelines, safety implications, and community fundraising initiatives.
