A group of people who started a signature drive to allow for a recall of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio have fallen short.   Recall organizers said they were unable to obtain the needed 335,000 registered voter signers needed in order for them to proceed.

The controversial Maricopa County Sheriff first took office in 1992.

Since that time he has received national notoriety for being America's Toughest Sheriff. His jails broadcast 4 hours of classical music, Frank Sinatra and opera music through the jails loudspeakers each day.

Cable television programming is required to be provided under federal law.  Arpio's detention centers, though, only have access to the Weather Channel and the Disney Channel. Inmates are required to wear pink underwear.

A Tent City jail has been set up just next door to one of the more permanent detention centers.  Inmates dislike it because of Phoenix's hot temperatures.

The sheriff has said if they don't like the conditions they shouldn't have committed their crimes.   He pointed out that there are soldiers serving in Afghanistan that are in the desert every day wearing full gear, and they are not convicted felons.

The tent city has long been criticized by groups who allege it violates constitutional and human rights.

Those who supported the recall described it as being a sad day.  As of several weeks ago, they had gathered approximately two thirds of the necessary signatures.  They have not indicated how many more they would have needed in order to get the recall measure onto the ballot.

Arpaio thinks they will not release the final number because the organizers are embarrassed by their failure. Some believe that the recall organizers simply did not like the fact that he was reelected last November.   That victory opened the doors to his sixth term in office.

One political expert thinks the recall may have failed due to a lack of fundraising.  In addition to running a recall they would also have needed to present a viable candidate to run against the sheriff last fall.

Proponents of getting Arpaio removed from office have said his deputies have not properly investigated more than 400 sex crime cases.  This, they said, has forced the county to pay out more than $25 million in settlements.

Arpaio reportedly said his office is taking proactive steps to resolve the botched investigations.  They are committed to ensuring those incidents do not happen again, he said.