In-Depth: New safety plan aims to protect remote Pima County communities | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher has unveiled a safety plan for remote areas in the county following the brutal murder of a Good Samaritan in Redington just before Christmas. This initiative aims to enhance safety in several isolated communities.

News 4 Tucson’s Chief Investigative Reporter Chorus Nylander has been following the situation from the beginning and obtained a memo outlining Lesher’s proposals. The memo, sent to the Board of Supervisors, suggests measures to improve safety in remote areas.

The efforts come after Paul Clifford was murdered after helping a group of strangers experiencing car trouble two days before Christmas. His body was found next to a burning car near his home in Redington.

Christina Clifford, the widow of Paul Clifford, expressed her commitment to enhancing community safety after a Board of Supervisors meeting back in March. “I want to help in Paul’s name. I want my community and all rural communities to be safe,” said Clifford.

In March, the Pima County Board of Supervisors tasked Lesher with developing a rural community safety plan within 90 days. Steve Christy, who spearheaded the initiative, said, “This could not be a more fitting tribute to her husband to make sure we stop something like this from happening again.”

Lesher’s memo identifies Redington, Arivaca, Sasabe, and parts of Sonoita and Vail as areas included in the plan, citing their populations and extended law enforcement response times. One of her proposals is the creation of ranch deputy programs, where a deputy would be assigned to a remote community as a beat.

A significant concern is the lack of cellphone coverage in these areas. Lesher suggests encouraging telecommunication companies to expand their infrastructure. Additionally, she proposes that the Sheriff’s Department develop more neighborhood watch groups and formalize collaborations with other law enforcement agencies for calls near their jurisdictions.

Lesher also recommends using improved camera technology and enhancing road conditions in remote areas. Christy expressed optimism about the plan’s potential. “I have full hopes this will be step one of several more steps and the end result is going to be something we’ll all be proud of and give the remote area residents a high level of confidence,” he said.

The Board of Supervisors will review these recommendations and will be responsible for implementing any actions. However, the cost remains a significant hurdle. Lesher detailed potential expenses associated with each step. The Board may address the issue as early as June 17, though Christy believes additional time might be necessary.

Christina Clifford sent us a statement:

“I deeply appreciate the research and effort that went into defining our remote areas and identifying potential aids, particularly the focus on increased internet availability and infrastructure. I was especially encouraged to see the mention of a potential range patrol for these areas, as I believe this would offer significantly more practical assistance and security for Redington than a traditional Neighborhood Watch. Given that this memorandum outlines “potential aids” rather than a fully detailed action plan, I am eager to understand the next steps following the Board of Supervisors meeting. What is the process for developing a concrete, actionable plan with specific initiatives like the range patrol, and how can residents of Redington best contribute to ensuring its solutions are truly tailored and effective for our unique circumstances.”

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