Activist questions Arpaio’s Latino outreach motives

PHOENIX — After years of tension between the sheriff’s office and Hispanic community, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Tuesday night after his re-election that he wanted to reach out to explain his immigration policy and how he handles the law.

Valley attorney and activist Daniel Ortega said he would welcome that move by Arpaio but he questioned the motives.

“He’s the same guy that he has always been,” he said. “Why he wants to reach out is speculative on my part.”

Ortega said there is a great deal of disappointment, distrust and fear in the Hispanic community with the sheriff.

“Of course, we should take the opportunity to keep him from discriminating and racially profiling the Latino community,” he said.

“Anything we can do to achieve that would be time well spent.”