GLENDALE

Glendale mayor: Please Tase me, bro

Matthew Casey
The Republic | azcentral.com
Jerry Weiers

How much would you pay for a chance to use a Taser on a public official?

Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers won't accept less than $10,000, and he doesn't get to keep a penny.

"I've had a few people accuse me of possibly eating paint chips off the wall when I was growing up," he said.

To raise money for the 100 Club of Arizona, a charity that supports the families of police officers injured or killed in the line of duty, Weiers is auctioning off an opportunity for one person to shock him with a Taser on Saturday during the Community Supporting Cops event at Arrowhead Towne Center.

The catch: The winner must donate a minimum of $10,000.

"My wife's not real happy about it, but I still think it's for the best," he said.

Weiers came up with the idea about three weeks ago while planning the event, which he said gives citizens the chance to meet law-enforcement officers, see the "tools" they use and enjoy free barbecue. He could not say how many agencies will participate, but said the number is growing, and patrol, motor and tactical units from across the Valley are expected to attend.

The Glendale mayor hopes the event will help prevent the spread of tension between the public and law enforcement seen in places like Missouri, Maryland, and most recently Texas. By making a personal connection with police, Weiers believes attendees will recognize that officers are "trying to do the right thing."

"This isn't just a cop you watch on TV on a 15-second video," he said. "They're regular people doing a very difficult job."

Weiers admits that he hopes someone will "step up," donate $10,000 to the 100 Club and choose not to use the Taser. But he understands that "probably is not going to happen."

"I've never been Tased, but I've been shocked several times," he said. "Sometimes you have to do something a little radical to get people's attention."

Community Supporting Cops is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday near the Circle K parking lot near 77th Avenue and Bell Road.

All donations will benefit the 100 Club, and if someone meets or exceeds the $10,000 threshold, Weiers expects to get shocked at "about high noon."

"Isn't that when they typically do the shootouts?" he said.