House Arrest for “Q” Police ?

Dream as if you’ll live forever.  Live as if you’ll die today.

When out exploring the area around Quartzsite we drove by the Police Department in town several times.  We wondered why there were so many police cars parked at the station but never any around town.  Now the town of Quartzsite is small.  It’s actually smaller than small.  We also couldn’t understand why a town this small had so many police cars.


A couple years ago when we were here police cars were out ticketing cars along the roadways during the Big Tent.  They had lined the sides of the road and every one of the cars had been given a ticket.  Not so this year .... just about any place you want to park is open.  At least that's what it seems since many cars park right next to the "no parking" signs where it used to be off limits.  You also rarely see a police car around town … rarely.

We asked a few locals about it, read comments in the town paper and even picked up other stories online.  The difference between town politics in a small town versus a large town is that everyone knows what’s going on.  In a large town some of the news can actually be hidden inside other news.  That doesn’t appear to be the case in “Q”.  There are many small town rumors floating around about city council politics and special favors for special people.  We wondered if they were just rumors or if there was any truth to it.

According to a news article published by KWST News (Channel 13) most of the police officers in town are on administrative leave for telling the truth.  In other words the article refers to them as being under house arrest because they are confined to their home during what would be normal working hours.  Reportedly, the officers are on “house arrest” from 8 am – noon, and 1 pm – 5 pm.

The story from KWST indicated one of the city council candidates had warrants out on her.  The mayor indicated the officers were told by the Chief to ignore those warrants.  Eventually she was suspected of driving drunk and picked up for DUI.  The officers who picked her up got in trouble.  She screamed and shouted that the Chief had her protected and that they couldn't do anything to her.  The video taken by the arresting officer of the events was turned in and put in the police file.  That video has since disappeared from the file.

An emergency was called and The Desert Freedom Press printed that under that “emergency” the police chief suspended ALL officers who had filed criminal and ethical complaints against him.  They were placed under house arrest. 

The town currently has a shortage of police officers working.  I believe I read there are only four police officers who aren’t on administrative leave including the Police chief.   The Mayor had requested assistance from the state government but was having trouble getting anyone to respond.  The La Paz County Sheriff was then called in to help.  However, some locals really are not too pleased with that either since the Police Chief and the Sheriff have both worked together previously.

The local newspaper is full of letters to the editor regarding what residents consider corruption. After hearing and reading the stories of the goings on in this town, we were left to wonder why the State of Arizona or Attorney General or FBI hasn’t stepped in to investigate. Maybe they have.  Or, why voters don’t remove the folks they feel should be removed. It seems many of the people in town are only part-year residents. Thus, not entitled to a voice in city issues.

In addition there is also a rumor floating around about misconduct from the Police Chief.  Is it true he refuses to take a report or even arrest one of his officers on child rape? Check the blog out here.    Is it true he has harassed local city businesses who oppose him?  Is it true he spied on certain residents who had been outspoken about misconduct looking for evidence of wrong doing? Does he bully, badger, harass and ticket those opposing him?  Does he cover up evidence and unlawful actions?  I don't know the answer to any of those questions.  However, the townsfolk of Quartzsite sure express a lot of opinions about the questions.

Is there more to the stories in this town? Why don’t the voters take a stand? Is the Police Chief in this little town really corrupt?  Should law enforcement be above the law?

Some of the most interesting reading I've done in years has been about the town affairs of Quartzsite. The reading has reminded me of the town Boss Hogg ran in the Dukes of Hazard. Is the Boss alive, is it clean-up time in Quartzsite or is this just Hogg-wash?


The little town of Quartzsite definitely needs the hoards of visitors who show up each January and February.  The Big Tent, the people and all the money floating around helps with the economy of the town.  Without this influx of cash, the town would definitely be struggling.

Are normal licensing procedures also ignored in order to encourage sales during this time?  There is another rumor floating around regarding the issuance of Arizona health food cards being issued to temporary food handling vendors without questioning and even without the need to show up or any food handling knowledge.  Is this true?    It might make us think twice next time we order a hot dog from a local vendor or eat in a local restaurant. 

There are lots of questions about this little town.  I don’t know the answer.  I wonder if anyone really does.  I also wonder if any of them ever will be answered.   Then, are they true or are they false?   I must admit though after reading comments left on other blogs by city officials, I felt better posting this one after we left town and we were out of there  .... just to be safe.

‘Tis just an interesting life on the road.