The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office will expand its monitoring of desert encampments after the Board of Supervisors approved a $14,000 grant from the USDA Forest Service on January 29, 2025. The funds will support overtime costs for deputies patrolling remote areas within the Tonto National Forest and surrounding lands.
Chief Deputy Matt Thomas explained to the board that the grant will enhance the department’s ability to monitor groups of about 25-30 people who move between different jurisdictions. “These are essentially like little towns… that are moving from spot to spot,” Thomas said, noting that the patrols cover National Forest, state land, and private property as the encampments shift locations.
During the board discussion, Supervisor Serdy, whose District 5 includes wilderness areas covered by the grant, questioned whether the funding would address issues on state lands, which he described as having “bigger problems.” Thomas confirmed the patrols would cover all affected areas due to the mobile nature of the encampments.
Thomas emphasized that the department’s focus isn’t on camping itself, but rather on associated issues. “The problem is not that they’re out there camping or recreating,” he explained, “the problem is the trash they leave behind, the crimes that take place.” He revealed that the area had recently experienced a homicide case involving a burned body connected to these encampments.
The agreement, running from March 1, 2025, through May 31, 2027, covers specific patrol areas including Oak Flat Campground, Picket Post Trailhead, and Old Ray Highway areas in the Globe Ranger District, as well as the Hewitt Station area, Peralta and First Water Trailhead areas in the Mesa Ranger District.
The Board of Supervisors approved the measure unanimously.
