AZ GOP Top Director Arrested At Party Headquarters

PHOENIX - Just as Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen was concluding a meeting this morning at the Arizona Republican Party headquarters, he and fellow Republican leaders and staffers watched in shock as police officers handcuffed and took into custody their top staffer, Executive Director Brett Mecum, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the party.

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Mecum was photographed just after midnight on April 10 by a stationary photo enforcement camera driving his Ford Mustang on the 101 freeway eastbound near 59th Avenue driving 109 miles per hour in a 65 mile-per-hour zone.

The DPS statement says, "The state statute which covers criminal speeding applies to everyone equally. If there are valid criminal charges, the arrest of Mr. Mecum is like any other criminal speeding arrest. In this case, the charges speak for themselves."

Lee Miller, an attorney for the Arizona Republican Party, told the Arizona Capitol Times, "It was a silly, stupid thing to do and there is no excuse and there's no justification for it."

Six hours after Mecum's arrest, a fellow Republican Party staffer was still waiting to pick Mecum up from the Maricopa County 4th Avenue Jail in Phoenix.

Comments

[astroblower]

Probably late for a tea party.

[RACVC]

Ha - good one astroblower!

[Retrofuturistic]

Wonder how he likes the govt. spying, that was initiated by his own party?

[MovingtoNorway]

Any relation to the old corrupt governor Ed Mecham?

[liberalsrheros]

i'll bet lee miller gets to repeat that phrase alot working for the gop.

[Mintcondition]

It's John McCain's fault.

[bygollymissmolly]

So, did this guy NOT know about the cameras?

[Shibiwan]

Um... almost everyone living in the Phoenix metro area knows about them. Especially on that freeway.

[wordvarc]

How can we could morph this into a hate crime.

[inorbit]

Did he have to wear the pink underwear?

[ranchomerced]

That section of road is flat, strait and very wide with excellent visability. I have exceeded 120 in that area in a 53 year old car when there was no traffic. His newer car is very safe at those speeds. Just a great location for a speed trap.

[fredjernig]

Absolutely. Arizona is crazy for senseless speed traps. In jail for this?? And who cares if he's a Republican or whatever. The only way I could begin to feel some outrage is if the guy was a campaigner for strict speed limits with tough penalties. In Germany this would be legal (in some parts of the roads at least). And frankly, in what way will increasing our jail population this way help anything or anybody?

[pragmaticdallasite]

I agree. I don't care if he's a Republican staffer, this is ridiculous. Perhaps maybe he'll see that the party he works for is responsible for this invasion of personal freedom.

[kareemachan]

So it's okay to do it if you can? To heck with laws?

[Realityism]

To heck with laws and means of law enforcement which endanger personal freedom for nothing more than the government's financial gain. Traffic cameras don't keep anyone safer. It's a revenue scheme, and that's all.

[OleLadySquawking]

Lee Miller, an attorney for the Arizona Republican Party, told the Arizona Capitol Times, "It was a silly, stupid thing to do and there is no excuse and there's no justification for it."

Why is the Republican Party even commenting on an obviously none political arrest? It sounds like a silly stupid thing to do and there is no excuse or justification for the need to do it.

[dididangerlove]

If it was a political they would have arrested the Arizona Democratic Party Chairman. Maricopa County is about the most Republican county in the country.

And nobody should be driving 109 MPH unless they're on a racetrack.

[solopico]

"Maricopa County is about the most Republican county in the country"

What a very senseless statement.

Maricopa county is probably the most liberal county in Arizona, and Arizona is now (thanks to the infux of California libs) now nowhere near as conservative as some other states.

Up until late January, AZ had a Dem governor, Phoenix has a Dem mayor. Just because we have a Sheriff that upholds the law does not make us "about the most Republican county in the country" by any stretch.

[GeorgeP922]

If the Republicans were smart they would mobilize for a federal ban to these types of photo radar devices.

I miss the days when Republicans stood up for rights of Personal freedom.

All though I am hardcore partisan democrat, there were a few issues I sided with the GOP and they were mostly personal freedom.
Like allowing a bar to permit smoking (its called free market capitilism)

Or in this case invasion of privacy and overbearing police action etc etc.

Also with photo radar, is it not like running a redlight? The owner of the car gets fine but no points?

[Shibiwan]

If it's 15mph over the posted speed limit, it's a criminal felony, and a warrant for the driver arrest is issued automatically.

What remains to be seen is if the charges will stick.

I don't understand how this guy blatantly ignores the law when everyone in AZ knows that the 101 is photo radar central.

[fredjernig]

I basically agree with you. They use the things are a speed trap. Safety is not their concern.

[Stirner]

Got to agree with almost everything you write, but still, I've known a few who were killed on highways by NSCAR wananbes. I'd rather have the cops keeping a lid on these nuts. Has NOTHING to do with "free market capitalism".

[pragmaticdallasite]

I agree but the use of cameras to enforce traffic law is the issue that concerns me.

[Eoin45]

Republicans have NEVER stood up for personal liberty. They say that's what they're for but they're always the first to advocate the suspension of civil liberties and spying on personal lives - especially if it involves sex - in the name of law and order.

[DSOTM]

So did he go to Joe Arpaio's jail and have to where a striped suit?

[Dantana]

Don't forget the pink underpants!

[VicDaring]

Sweet ride.

[Dbos]

That fast is a felony . Some want the cameras removed because it smacks of big brother . The cameras should remain and expanded across the country .

[GeorgeP922]

Im sure you can't wait when a random camera gives you 2 points and 300$ ticket for going 60 in a 55.

Actually, for years I have begged America to take on these cameras.

American's are independent, we smoke pot and speed regardless of the law.

These cameras, unlike cops do not descriminate, so as soon as rich white men and their whiny wives get these tickets, get arrested etc something will have to change.

On the upside, we will conserve less fuel too, as America is addicted to it's pathetic suvs.

[bygollymissmolly]

You do not have the right to endanger the people on the road with you. Sorry but that's taking "personal freedom" way to far. How about we do away with speed limits all together. Then someone can drive 60 mph through your neighborhood. would that be OK with you?

[solopico]

"so as soon as rich white men and their whiny wives get these tickets"

Bitter much?

[BartLA]

Dude, slow down. You turned that car into a potential ki.ling machine.

[AnotherMike]

Killing who? Look at that empty road and the time of day, grandpa...

[Dawn Teo - Huffpost Blogger]

Actually, the still photo shows no cars, but the video does show other cars.

[GalenL]

Read the post below.