Major League Baseball

Arizona sheriff calls off All-Star Game chain gang

Published Jul. 11, 2011 6:34 p.m. ET

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An Arizona sheriff known for his crime raids in the Phoenix area says he is calling off his plan to have jail chain gangs pick up trash outside Major League Baseball's All-Star Game.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told the Arizona Republic on Monday that he wants the focus to be on the children and the national pastime instead of his chain gang.

The sheriff had planned to have three chain gangs decked out in striped jail garb posted around Chase Field during Tuesday's game. One was to be made up entirely of undocumented immigrants convicted of drunken driving.

Arpaio regularly uses his chain gangs to draw publicity for his tough-on-crime message.

The sheriff also placed chain gangs near the 2008 Super Bowl.

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