Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: The Graham County Sheriff’s Office and other local police departments are now closed to the general public.
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – Law enforcement agencies throughout Graham County have closed their doors to the public to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
The lobbies for the Safford and Thatcher police departments and the Graham County Sheriff’s Office are closed to the public. The Pima Police Department remains open, however, it is a smaller agency and is normally closed if officers are out on a call and it is not staffed with a receptionist like the other law enforcement entities.
“We are trying to limit the exposure,” Safford Interim Police Chief Glen Orr said. “All my officers in the police department are going to be exposed if they haven’t already. So, we’re trying to limit that exposure in any way we possibly can.”
The Graham County Sheriff’s Office lobby and Graham County Adult Detention Facility is closed to visitors effective Wednesday at 4 p.m. The closure will not apply to attorneys visiting clients, medical professionals, and mail package deliveries.
Law enforcement departments are still operating, and those in need can call them; Safford at 432-4100, Thatcher at 428-2296, Graham County Sheriff’s Office at 428-3141 and 911 for emergencies.
In addition to closing off its lobby, the Safford Police Department will be performing selective policing to limit exposure, according to Orr.
“I’m not telling them don’t enforce or don’t be out there; obviously we need to be there and we’re out there and around, but we don’t need to have excessive contact because somebody drove down the road with a taillight out,” Orr said. “But if they’re driving drunk and you can tell they’re swerving all over the road, yeah, we still need to deal with that kind of thing. We’re trying to limit that exposure as much as we can.”
Thatcher Police Chief Shaffen Woods said his department would be suspending courtesy services – like giving rides and unlocking car doors – and just limit to essential services. Additionally, the police department is requesting that if an officer is called to a scene that they are alerted to any ill individuals so they can take proper precautions.
“We’re still going to do as much as we do as possible, but we need to keep our officers safe and, as well, we don’t want to inadvertently contaminate people if we have been exposed,” Woods said. “We only have 11 officers, so we need to keep our guys working as long as we can.”
Woods advised that he was working on contingency plans if officers need to be quarantined and he needs to fill shifts.
Courts postponing trials, holding hearings via telephonically or by video conferencing
Trials have been postponed in both Graham and Greenlee counties due, in part, to not wanting to have to call a jury pool.
The Graham County Superior Court and Greenlee County Superior Court continue to operate, but will have parties appear telephonically when possible and utilize video conferencing to limit public contact.
The city of Safford suspends all in-person services
The following is a notice from the city of Safford
All city of Safford offices will be closed to in-person services until further notice.
•For Utility Payments customers are encouraged to use one of the following:
Xpress Bill Pay(Download App or cityofsafford.us) – online banking services.
The city of Safford will be offering a one-time $10 credit to all customers who enroll in Xpress Bill pay via the app or website referenced above and choose the option to enroll in autopay, which allows for automatic bill payment on the 15 of every month. To enroll, call 1-877-420-5861.
Drop boxes are located at Safford City Hall (envelopes will be provided and please include name, service address or account number and contact phone number).
Payment is also accepted by mail (please include name, service address or account number and contact phone number with payment).
• All other inquiries related to utility services including connections and disconnections, please contact customer service at 928-432-4060 or at citizenserviceshelpdesk@saffordaz.gov
•The landfill will remain open during their regular hours of operation:
Mon. – Fri. 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sat. – 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
•All Safford City/Graham County Library activities will be canceled until further notice.
• All facility rentals will be suspended until further notice.
• All staff is encouraged to practice social distancing (6 feet) with the public and other staff members.
• If you need assistance regarding cemetery plots, please call 928-432-4172 to make an appointment.
• For all other inquiries regarding City of Safford services please contact the appropriate department directly by phone (Department Directory below).
• For up to date information on our closures and services please visit www.cityofsafford.us.
• Safford City Council in-person meetings will be suspended, and all necessary meetings will be broadcast live via the internet and/or telephone.
For general inquiries please call 928-432-4106.
