by Ethan Faverino | Nov 2, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
A new national poll reveals a broad, cross-partisan consensus among Americans for accountability-driven reforms to address rising crime, homelessness, and judicial leniency.
With violent crime perceived as increasing by 75% of respondents, majorities support stricter sentencing, enhanced monitoring technologies, federal oversight of repeat offender states, and responsibility requirements in public assistance programs. The Cicero Institute National Crime Poll surveyed a representative sample of 2,102 U.S. voters, showing a unified public mandate that compassion must be paired with consequences to restore safety and order in communities nationwide.
“Americans are crying out for accountability,” said Stefani E. Buhajla, Senior Director of Communications at the Cicero Institute. “Across the nation, families are watching their neighborhoods decline under the weight of unchecked crime, drug abuse, and untreated mental illness. Homelessness has exploded into public view, violent criminals cycle endlessly through the courts, and too many judges seem more interested in appeasing activists than protecting the people they serve. The result is predictable: citizens feel less safe, less secure, and less confident in the institutions charged with delivering justice.”
Crime and Public Safety
- 63% support increasing criminal penalties for drug trafficking around homelessness charity facilities, recognizing the exploitation of vulnerable individuals battling addictions.
- 75% support providing law enforcement with better technology to track transient sex offenders.
- 75% support electronic monitoring of transient sex offenders’ whereabouts, with 68% more likely to support if informed that over half of transients are registered sex offenders.
Violent Crime and Mental Health
- 75% believe violent crime is increasing or staying the same.
- 61% support court-ordered treatment and stabilization for repeat criminals with mental illness.
- 64% support making it easier to commit individuals with violent tendencies to mental health facilities.
- In cases of aggravated murder by mentally ill offenders, 82% back life in prison, the death penalty, or both (46% life in prison, 18% death penalty, 18% both).
- 60% favor an automatic federal investigation into states with histories of releasing repeat violent criminals.
- 63% support removing judges with patterns of leniency toward repeat violent criminals.
Homelessness
- 64% say homeless individuals should be required to participate in addiction, mental health treatment, and job training as a condition of taxpayer-funded housing.
- 64% oppose allowing homeless individuals to camp on public property.
- 75% view moving homeless individuals to shelters as more compassionate than unrestricted camping.
- 70% support temporary structured camping areas with water, sanitation, and police services—located away from residential and business zones—when shelters are unavailable.
Juvenile Justice
- 73% support shorter probation terms for low-risk juvenile offenders who complete education or job training.
- 66% support reduced probation for those pursuing mental health counseling or drug treatment programs.
“What we see here is not a thirst for cruelty, but a yearning for justice,” added Buhajla. “Americans want accountability because they know compassion without order collapses into chaos. They understand that responsibility and opportunity must go hand in hand. And they are calling on leaders to have the courage to enforce laws, protect communities, and demand more from the very institutions that too often excuse failure.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 14, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
What began in August as a temporary pause on Sedona’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) program has now become a full termination. At its September 9 regular meeting, the Sedona City Council voted unanimously to sever its contract with Flock Safety and remove all ALPR cameras from city limits. The vote came under agenda item AB 3261, which had originally been slated for discussion of a possible citizen working group to review policies surrounding the technology. Instead, council members chose to end the program outright, citing concerns over transparency, trust, and civil liberties.
The decision builds on the council’s August 24 action, when members voted 5–1 to deactivate 11 cameras already installed and block the installation of a twelfth. At that time, the program was effectively frozen while staff compiled a timeline of its approval and explored potential safeguards through a future citizen advisory group.
By early September, however, new information came to light about Flock’s federal partnerships. The company acknowledged limited pilot programs with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations, contradicting earlier statements to city officials that no data-sharing was occurring. That disclosure, coupled with weeks of strong public opposition, prompted the council to move from pause to permanent shutdown.
Council members expressed frustration that the technology had been introduced without a broader policy conversation about its implications. “This began as a handful of people who viewed these license plate readers as a modern policing tool,” one member said. “But what was missed was the question of whether we should be collecting and storing data on innocent people.”
While several members noted that ALPRs have proven useful in other communities, the combination of mistrust in the vendor and unease about federal access to local data swayed the body toward termination. “The only way to ensure data is not shared or abused is to not have it,” another council member remarked.
The unanimous vote represents a shift from the August meeting, when Mayor Scott Jablow supported continuing the program and Vice Mayor Holli Ploog was absent. This time, all members aligned in favor of ending the city’s relationship with Flock and removing the cameras.
The debate has mirrored national disputes over surveillance technology. As reported in the August 24 article, communities from Arkansas to New York have raised similar objections, with residents warning of potential erosion of civil liberties. In Sedona, residents filled inboxes with emails and spoke at public forums, urging leaders to prioritize privacy over surveillance.
The council’s decision closes the door—at least for now—on the use of ALPRs in Sedona. Members left open the possibility that the issue could be revisited in future years if public attitudes or technology practices change but stressed that significant shifts would be necessary before reconsideration.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Sep 2, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) is taking action to combat crime and restore safety, both in the nation’s capital and in his home state of Arizona.
Biggs introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at reinforcing President Trump’s efforts to curb lawlessness in Washington, D.C., while reaffirming his commitment to making Arizona the safest state in the nation.
His first legislation, the Make D.C. Safe Again Act, amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to extend the emergency period during which the President can assume control over the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) from 30 days to 180 days.
This extension provides President Trump and federal authorities the necessary time to stabilize the nation’s capital, addressing the violent crime and public disorder without restrictive time constraints.
The second legislation, the Keep Offenders Off Our Streets Act, targets the practice of cashless bail in D.C., prohibiting judges from releasing criminals without requiring a secured bail bond.
By ensuring that offenders are held accountable, this bill enhances prosecutors’ ability to uphold the rule of law and maintain community safety.
“When our nation’s capital faces lawlessness, violent crime, and breakdowns in public order, the federal government has a responsibility and a constitutional duty to act decisively,” said Congressman Biggs.
“The District of Columbia is the seat of our federal government, the home of our institutions, and a symbol of American strength,” he added. “Weak leadership at the local level too often leaves D.C. vulnerable to the chaos of the radical Left. President Trump has shown time and time again his commitment to restoring law and order in D.C. and across the country. My legislation ensures that President Trump has the necessary time and authority to quell the chaos that has reigned in woke D.C.”
These legislations are cosponsored by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), and Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD).
In a recent interview with James T. Harris, Congressman Biggs was asked, “If you were the governor of the great state of Arizona, would you invite President Trump and federal troops in to help with crime in the state?”
“We are going to make this state the safest in the union,” Biggs answered. “We are not going to need the feds, because we are going to enforce the law here. People are going to be held accountable for crime, particularly violent crimes, sex assault, and trafficking of children—we’re going to hold them accountable. If we can’t get the job done and there’s an emergency situation, then maybe that happens. I believe under my administration, the prosecutors are going to prosecute. The police officers are going to be given the resources and support they need to make the arrests, and we are going to bring Arizona back to be the safest state in the country.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 24, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Sedona City Council recently voted to indefinitely shut down the city’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) program after weeks of debate over privacy, surveillance, and public safety.
At a recent special session, council members Melissa Dunn, Kathy Kinsella, Brian Fultz, Pete Furman, and Derek J. Pfaff directed city staff and police to deactivate the 11 Flock Safety cameras already installed, with one additional device awaiting installation. Mayor Scott Jablow opposed the move, while Vice Mayor Holli Ploog was absent. Roughly 50 residents attended the meeting, at times voicing strong objections to the technology.
The decision halts Sedona’s partnership with Flock Group, Inc., which had equipped the city with ALPRs to scan and log vehicle license plates as part of law enforcement investigations. Until the shutdown, only Sedona Police Department Patrol Cmdr. Chris Dowell had access to the system.
Supporters of the technology argue that ALPRs provide a valuable investigative tool, helping law enforcement identify stolen vehicles, track suspects, and improve public safety. Dowell emphasized that the cameras were not designed for broad surveillance.
“ALPR is not a mass surveillance tool; it is a focused, objective investigative asset governed by strict data retention policies and transparency protocols,” Dowell said. He noted that data collected in Sedona was stored for 30 days and that “hot list” entries—license plates flagged for criminal investigation—required supervisory approval.
But critics say the cameras still sweep up information on every passing car, raising concerns that the technology could erode civil liberties. Flock representatives acknowledged that the system can capture more than just plates—such as bumper stickers or other vehicle features—details that, while seemingly minor, could reveal political beliefs or personal affiliations.
Groups like Privacy International define “mass surveillance” as any system that collects and stores data on individuals without suspicion of wrongdoing. Civil liberties advocates warn that such technology risks normalizing constant monitoring.
The debate in Sedona echoes national concerns. In Arkansas, one homeowner recently protested a Flock camera he said photographed his property and family members, sparking a legal debate over Fourth Amendment protections. Similarly, in Scarsdale, N.Y., local officials terminated their Flock contract after residents objected to what they described as an invasive surveillance system.
Following the decision, Sedona city staff were instructed to compile a timeline of how the program was approved, establish a citizen work group, and return with recommendations for a possible pilot program that balances safety with privacy protections.
For now, the cameras will remain in place but powered off, as the community considers whether their benefits outweigh the costs to civil liberties.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 20, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Arizona Governor’s Office along with Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) are addressing the issue of growing concern nationwide of individuals impersonating law enforcement officers.
These deceptive acts not only undermine public trust with law enforcement officials, but they also jeopardize the safety of the community.
Under the Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2411, impersonating a police officer with the intent to deceive or induce compliance is a class 6 felony.
If committed during another felony, such as assault or theft, the offense escalates to a class 4 felony.
Director of AZDPS, Colonel Jeffrey Glover, said, “Impersonating a law enforcement officer is a serious crime that undermines public trust and threatens community safety. Our agency is committed to rigorously investigating and prosecuting anyone who falsely presents themselves as a peace officer. We will not tolerate individuals who exploit the authority and image of law enforcement for criminal or deceptive purposes.”
Governor Katie Hobbs also affirmed this same belief by saying, “Our local and state law enforcement have a tough job to do. Impersonating them makes that job even tougher. It puts our officers in harm’s way, undermines public trust, and makes our communities less safe. Impersonating a law enforcement officer is a felony in Arizona, and anybody caught doing so will be charged to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Governor’s office and AZDPS urge the public to remain vigilant and offer the following tips to identify and respond to potential impersonators:
- If driving, pull over in a well-lit, populated area.
- Request identification because legitimate officers carry authorized credentials identifying themselves and their agency.
- Call 911 to verify the encounter.
- Note details like vehicle type, license plate number, or badge number.
- Stay calm to ensure clear thinking and safe decision making.
Anybody who believes they have encountered a law enforcement impersonator is urged to report the incident to the local authorities immediately providing as much information as possible.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
