PHX Reporter

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said the county plans to increase the number of plain-clothes deputies on duty on Election Day Aug. 2.

In a news conference July 20, Penzone and County Recorder Stephen Richer gave an overview of the security plans for Election Day.They said one priority was an increase in plainclothes deputies.

"We have always worked in this space, providing security at polling sites as needed should there be an issue of concern,” Penzone told KSAZ. “An escalation of violence for whatever reason, provocation, intimidation. Things that could never be permitted in a free nation or democracy.”

Penzone also said that most people won’t even notice the increased police presence.

"If you act accordingly, then that's wonderful. But if you act unfit with the law, then we will respond and address it," he said.

Richer said he also wanted the Maricopa County Elections Department to ensure safe, secure, transparent and fair elections.

"We want to show you how this process works, we believe in this process, we know that this process is tested, we know that this process is the result of bipartisan Arizonans working together in groups of up to 3,000 temporary workers for this election cycle," he said.

The increase in law enforcement doesn’t mean there will be cause for concern, however, Penzone added.

“If a person is doing something that is cause for question, we’re going to educate them first,” he said. “We’re going to try and work that out, de-escalate it but if it rises to the point where they are intimidating someone or threatening them in a manner that undermines their freedom to vote and it reaches the level of a criminal act, then we’ll act on it accordingly.”

Richer those who are concerned about the fairness of the election can either work in the election process or become a political observer at a polling place or at the central tabulation facility.

“If you want to be part of a party’s observation process, there are official trainings, there are official manners for you to become an observer,” he said, in a story by AZFamily.

Penzone also cautioned voters to be patient and trust the process.

“The folks who love to say, ‘I back the blue,’ or in this case the tan, ‘I believe in law enforcement,’ then be respectful of the authority and act accordingly because I have seen people preach that and then club law enforcement professionals on the side of the head with flag poles,” he said.

Penzone also cautioned against listening to those who might stir up controversy.

"We hear what is irresponsible vitriol from different people who can be in different forms of leadership," Penzone said in a story by AZCentral. "When you say things that cause people to believe that they can't trust in a system that is trustworthy, then people act emotionally and emotions lead to bad judgment, bad behavior."