| Phoenix Police Unveils Newly Renovated Victim Center | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/police/3076 | Police | | 4/15/2024 7:30:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/nXBTOnrKQ2M?si=hNHOrmMnSYZUa-hI | Phoenix Police Unveils Newly Renovated Victim Center | <div class="ExternalClass998DE69D666F4803AC00AD9A9E79D05F"><html>
<p>After nearly four years, the newly renovated Victim Center was unveiled Thursday at the Phoenix Family Advocacy Center.<br></p>
<p>The Victim Center is the home base of the Phoenix Police Department's Family Investigations Bureau where detectives, nurses and victim advocates investigate sexual and domestic violence cases as well as interview victims, some of whom may be reporting crimes for the first time. The center first opened in 1999 and last renovations happened more than 10 years ago.</p>
<p>In collaboration with the Phoenix Police Foundation, the City of Phoenix was able to fund a significant renovation of the center through a public-private partnership.</p>
<p>The new center now has private waiting rooms that can accommodate families and children, warmer interview rooms and enhanced privacy measures.</p>
<p>"Anyone that comes through these doors is having a really terrible day," said Phoenix Police Commander Sara Garza, “so whatever we can do here to make sure that we're doing everything that we can to make it less terrible is our goal."</p>
<p>In 2023, Phoenix PD received just under 34,000 calls for service involving domestic violence and investigated just over 800 sexual assault cases. For those victims, having a warm, comfortable and safe environment is crucial.</p>
<p>"These victims had a very tiny waiting room, so they had no privacy," Garza said. “So, if you were reporting something and we had another victim waiting for, let's say, a nurse's exam or a detective interview, they might be sitting together, and victims always value privacy, especially during these sensitive investigations."</p>
<p>“It's crucial for a victim to come into a space that is comfortable and a safe place," said Debbie Valenzuela, a victim advocate with the City of Phoenix Victim Services. “It's not just a big deal for us as advocates and detectives, but also the nurses. But it's big on the victims knowing that they are here in a nice, comfortable place, will welcome them when working with victims of sexual and domestic violence."</p>
<p>The new design will provide a comfortable setting that respects the privacy and needs of victims during their most challenging times.</p>
<p>"This is going to make an environment for somebody that's really having a horrible day into something that is a little bit more pleasant, allows the detectives to do their jobs, allows people to report their crimes and feel more comfortable doing so," said President of the Phoenix Police Foundation Tim Thomas.</p>
<p>"I hope that all victims that come through the center leave with their dignity and their respect intact," said Garza, “that they have trust in the police and our victim advocates and the whole system, that we will give it the best chance towards justice for them and they leave as a whole person."<br></p>
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| Final Four Success: Phoenix Achieves Another Zero Waste Event | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/public-works/3075 | Public Works (Trash and Recycling) | | 4/15/2024 5:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3075/Newsroom photo Final Four.jpg | | Final Four Success: Phoenix Achieves Another Zero Waste Event | <div class="ExternalClass0211F42A9DE049A0A0FCACBF5FB26C08"><html><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">The final numbers are in and Phoenix once again reached its goal of </span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">making Final Four Fan Fest a Zero Waste Event. During the four days of downtown events, 94.2% of all waste collected by the Public Works Department was diverted away from the landfill. A Zero Waste event is defined as one with at least 90% waste diversion.<br></span><br style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Public Works collected, sorted, and weighed a total of 54.48 tons of waste from Fan Fest events. Of that, 51.32 tons was comprised of food waste (and other compostable items) and recyclable materials (such as paper, cardboard, and plastic water bottles). Food waste and compostable items were sent to the 27</span><span style="" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span style="" data-fontsize="12">th</span></span><span style="" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"> Avenue Compost Facility. Recyclable items were sent to the North Gateway Transfer Station’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where they will be further sorted, baled, and shipped off to remanufacturers.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Only 5.8% of the waste from downtown Final Four events ended up in the landfill.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">“Achieving this Zero Waste event was a process that started long before the Final Four came to town,” said Lorizelda Stoeller, Deputy Public Works Director. “There’s so much planning that goes into bin placement, collection schedules, and educating visitors about which items should go in which bin.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">About 60 Public Works employees were working shifts throughout the Final Four events. Even after the National Championship was over, crews continued sorting through waste at the Transfer Station, gathering recyclable items that were placed in garbage bins. Together, those crews walked more than 640,000 steps – more than 320 miles!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">During the events, residential collection and bulk trash pick-ups throughout Phoenix</span><span style="" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"> </span><span style="" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">also c</span></span><span style="font-size:16px;background-color:window;color:windowtext;">ontinued as regularly scheduled without interruption.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">“I am proud that major Zero Waste events are the standard for Phoenix," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. "In 2023, we hosted the greenest Super Bowl Experience on record, so it was only natural for us to follow-up with a Zero Waste Final Four Fan Fest this year. We appreciate visitors' efforts to recycle right and congratulate our Public Works staff on both this amazing accomplishment and continued dedication to putting on sustainable events in Phoenix!"</span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><div style="font-size:13.3333px;"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>During downtown events surrounding Super Bowl LVII, Public Works collected 101 tons of material, <a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/public-works/2666">92.6% of which was diverted from the landfill</a>.</span><span style="font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;margin:0px;padding:0px;line-height:20.5042px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-20,"335559737":-20,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" class="EOP SCXW16245691 BCX0"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:16px;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;margin:0px;padding:0px;line-height:20.5042px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-20,"335559737":-20,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" class="EOP SCXW16245691 BCX0"><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><br></span></div><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span></span></div></html></div> | https://phoenix.gov/publicworks | News | public-works |
| Phoenix Scores $1.2 Million Transit Oriented Development Light Rail Grant | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/public-transit/3074 | Public Transit | | 4/12/2024 9:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3074/Public_Transit_Newsroom_49.jpg | | Phoenix Scores $1.2 Million Transit Oriented Development Light Rail Grant | <div class="ExternalClass8462171C179549C9BFD524A1AFFD2C54"><html>
<p>The City of Phoenix received a $1.2 million <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/grant-programs/fiscal-year-2023-transit-oriented-development-tod-planning-projects" target="_blank">TOD (Transit Oriented Development) grant</a> from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help with efforts to improve access to public transit and create a transit-oriented walkable, livable and sustainable community.<br></p>
<p>These types of grants help organizations, like the City of Phoenix, plan with the community around major transportation projects to improve access to public transit and affordable housing. <br></p>
<p>Accessible public transit is critical to the economic health and growth of our City’s communities. After the completion of the <a href="https://www.valleymetro.org/project/south-central-extension-downtown-hub" target="_blank">South Central Downtown Hub</a> light rail extension, scheduled for 2025, the existing light rail line - the Phoenix Light Rail Main Line - will become a multi-line system with the downtown Phoenix area serving as the center for system transfers. The FTA awards this TOD grant for Phoenix’s Light Rail Main Line that includes the <a href="/pdd/reinvent-phx" target="_blank">Reinvent PHX</a>, <a href="/pdd/tod/19north" target="_blank">19North</a>, downtown Phoenix and the 50th Street station areas.<br></p>
<p>Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Councilmembers expressed their support for the award: <br></p>
<p>“Transit oriented development has been an inextricable part of our mission to build a Phoenix that works for everyone. This new grant will help us build a more dynamic city that seamlessly connects residents to work, the grocery store, to school or their doctor’s office—all without having to rely on a car. Together, we will continue working towards a more equitable city that prioritizes mixed-use projects,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. </p>
<p>“This grant signifies continued progress for the City of Phoenix and for our residents,” said Phoenix Vice Mayor and Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee Chair Debra Stark. “Having access to a reliable and efficient transportation system helps strengthen our economy and revitalize our communities. This is a win-win not just for public transit accessibility but for all our community.”</p>
<p> “We are excited to receive the Transit Oriented Development grant from the FTA,” said Councilwoman Ann O’Brien. “These funds are important to the City’s continued effort to create transit-oriented communities. FTA funds are currently helping build the Metro Transit Oriented District, which is part of the Northwest Extension Phase II project.” </p>
<p> “The City of Phoenix has achieved a great milestone in receiving this FTA grant. This will help us reach our goals to support our communities and create access to affordable housing and mixed-use development opportunities,” said Councilwoman Laura Pastor. </p>
<p> “With the newly awarded TOD grant, the City of Phoenix can continue its efforts to create strategies around transit oriented development and equitable communities – congratulations to all our teams for securing these funds,” said Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington.“ </p>
<p>This marks the 5th Transit Oriented Development (TOD) grant awarded to Phoenix under the <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/TODPilot" target="_blank">Transit Oriented Development Planning program</a>. <br></p>
<p>The TOD funds will be utilized with the following primary goals in mind:<br></p>
<p>• Evaluate current and projected growth and development.</p>
<p>• Assess affordable housing and development opportunities with emphasis on city-owned, vacant and large development sites.</p>
<p>• Make recommendations to streamline permitting for rental housing and other community visions.</p>
<p>• Educate and engage community stakeholders on the various transit-oriented development growth opportunities.<br></p>
<p>Phoenix is one of 20 cities to receive a portion of the <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/TOD" target="_blank">$17.6 million awarded</a> in 16 states.<br><br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/publictransit | News | public-transit |
| Chief Sullivan Concerned Over Violent Attacks on Officers | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/police/3073 | Police | | 4/11/2024 10:00:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/T0vHLX-IIMc?si=P0oPzMxHSDkHE_mS | Chief Sullivan Concerned Over Violent Attacks on Officers | <div class="ExternalClassBD66F8E6A9C342A7BC0F094A83C31606"><html>
Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan is concerned about the recent violent attacks against two Phoenix police officers that nearly cost them their lives.<br><br>Both unprovoked attacks took place within eight days of each other when officers were doing the job the community expects of them.<br><br>Chief Sullivan's concern is that if these attacks are perpetrated on uniformed police officers charged with keeping our community safe, what are these suspects willing to do to the general public?<br><br>“The frequency and seriousness of these attacks on the guardians of this community cause me great concern,” Chief Sullivan said. “And it should concern the public as well. This cannot become the norm.”<br><br>On Friday, March 29, 2024, Officer Harold Boswell was working off-duty security in full uniform when a woman ran up to him in the south Phoenix parking lot yelling for help. As the officer made his way toward the trouble, he was ambushed with a barrage of bullets. He was struck multiple times and, thankfully, his injuries were non-life threatening. He spent several days in the hospital and is now recovering at home.<br><br>On Sunday, April 7, 2024, another officer was responding to a trespassing call at a convenience store. As the officer was escorting the subject out of the store, the subject suddenly pulled out a large knife and stabbed the officer. A store security guard and clerk reacted immediately to assist the critically injured officer.<br><br>“If it were not for the intervention and incredible actions of the security guard and one of the clerks at the convenience store coming to the aid of our officer, we would have had a very different outcome,” said Chief Sullivan. “I want to personally thank them both.”<br><br>Sullivan fears that during these challenging times, incidents like these will be overlooked. He trusts that this community will not allow these behaviors to become the norm.<br><br>“These brave men and women put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve our city, and it is unacceptable that they should face such senseless violence,” Phoenix City District 1 Councilwoman Ann O’Brien said. “Attacks on law enforcement officers not only jeopardize public safety but also undermine the very fabric of our society.”<br><br>The Phoenix Police Department prides itself on having an excellent relationship with the community it serves. The department remains committed to reducing and preventing crime, maintaining public trust, and bringing justice to victims of crime.<br><br>The department held a news conference Thursday with Violent Crimes Bureau Lieutenant James Hester and PIO Sergeant Mayra Reeson.<br></html></div> | https://phoenix.gov/police | Video | police |
