Arpaio 'disappointed' in lack of protesters at San Francisco appearance

Sheriff Joe Arpaio is used to being the subject of protests, which made a recent visit to San Francisco surprising for him, he told KGO-TV Thursday.

"I'm a little disappointed because from New Hampshire to California, every time I travel or give a speech, l have demonstrators," said the Maricopa County sheriff, who visited the city for an appearance at the California Alarm Association's convention. "I don't see any here."

Arpaio, currently the subject of a Justice Department investigation for alleged racial profiling against Latinos, wasn't completely ignored during his trip; SF Weekly reported that, while having dinner in Union Square Thursday night, the sheriff found himself seated next to members of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBT performance group who, per its mission statement, uses comedy to "expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit."

But overall, he didn't face groups of hundreds of protesters as he has back home in Arizona. He did get a written protest from a group of eighth-graders at James Lick Middle School, near the convention site, who sent him letters, written in Spanish, objecting to his treatment of undocumented immigrants.

Arpaio told KPIX-TV he had also arranged to meet with about 80 students to "tell them the truth" about his policies, but the appearance was canceled by the school. A spokesperson with the San Francisco Unified School District said no meeting had ever been planned.

But San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, who raised funds for Democrat Paul Penzone's unsuccessful bid to defeat Arpaio in this year's elections, did see fit to pass along some advice of his own.

"I'd love to send him a message to come enjoy the city, spend your money here, and go back to re-think how you do police work," Gascon said of Arpaio.

Watch KGO's report of Arpaio's altogether calm trip to San Francisco, posted Friday, below.

[h/t The Huffington Post]