COOLIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT. Monthly Activity Report

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Ralph Cameron
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1 COOLIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT Monthly Activity Report July 2005

2 Department Activities REDUCTION IN MAJOR CRIME INCIDENTS: Major crime incidents in Coolidge have been dropping steadily since March of this year, from a high of 9.94 incidents per 1,000 residents to 4.42 per 1,000 residents for June Reduction in theft and burglary account for most of that change, with fewer than half in June from March. The current rate is the lowest for any June in the past ten years and the lowest report of crime during the past three years. ASSIST CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION: Chief Palmer assisted the City of Apache Junction as one of three chiefs requested by the Apache Junction city manager to screen and prioritize the applications and resumes of 38 applicants for the vacant chief of police position in that city. The results of that process were a final list of eight applicants for further interview and evaluation. MOBILE DATA COMPUTING: Chief Palmer coordinated formation of a county-wide test and evaluation program for mobile data computing from police vehicles. The participating agencies are the Eloy, Florence, and Coolidge Police Departments and the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. The program will test mobile communication via the new DPS communication infrastructure for car-tocar and intra-agency uses. The test program will kick off with a multi-agency meeting on August 19 with testing to follow over a period of about six months. GRAFFITTI INCIDENTS: Throughout the month of July, the police department conducted an intensive city-wide investigation of graffiti incidents that were happening throughout the City. Beat Team officers conducted street interviews of juveniles and adults who might have information about the "taggers," and began to gather intelligence information documenting the incidents. As a result the primary offender, a 13-year old female was identified. Although information is insufficient to justify criminal charges at this time, the parents of the juvenile and the juvenile were interviewed by police officers and all were warned that the investigation would continue and possible charges would be forthcoming. After that contact, graffiti incidents declined. The investigation continues as officers attempt to identify other "taggers," and work with City Code Enforcement to eliminate the graffiti. A memorandum detailing the department's efforts will be forwarded to the City Manager soon. DARK SKIES ORDINANCE: After learning that the new police building exterior lighting might be in violation of existing city code, Chief Palmer began an evaluation process to determine the extent of the problem. Meetings were held with City Code Enforcement, the design architect, a lighting expert contracted by the architect, and department staff. Preliminary review revealed that approximately 18 lights mounted on the side of the building and aimed upward to illuminate the side and roof of the building at night are currently in violation of the ordinance. It was also determined, however, that adjustments in the mounting of the lights in combination with placing the lights on a timer should bring the lights into compliance with the code. A report to the city manager will be forthcoming as the problem is addressed and costs are determined. Prior to this problem being reported in the local newspaper, the existence of a "dark skies" ordinance was unknown to the architects, police department staff, or city building inspectors who had inspected the plans and monitored the construction over a period of two years leading up to the end of construction in July NEW HIRE TESTING: The police department began testing for police officers. One lateral officer will be starting and another begins the police academy in mid August. Several other candidates have been placed on a waiting list for future consideration.

3 Major Cases & Investigative Events: BANK ROBBERY: On July 26 two suspects entered Sunstate Bank and ordered the tellers to the floor and not to push the button or pull the clip. Both suspects displayed handguns and told the tellers to give them the money. The tellers complied with the suspects orders and the suspects left the bank. Investigators and FBI agents are following up on the incident. DEATH INVESTIGATION: Detectives investigated the natural death of a Coolidge resident. SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A MINOR: On July 6 a nine-year-old juvenile was sexually assaulted by his mother s boyfriend. The suspect was arrested, confessed to the crime and is pending trial. BURGLARY/SEARCH WARRANT: On July 5 a burglary was reported at a local commercial building with multiple businesses in the complex. The suspect(s) gained entry through a side window and stole approximately ten thousand dollars of computer and office equipment. Investigations followed shoe impressions and bicycle tracks to nearby residence and attempted to contact the resident. While knocking on the back door items associated with the crime were found next to the porch. Property found next to the porch was shown to one of the victims, who identified it as theirs. Officer s maintained security of the residence and a search warrant was obtained and served at the residence. Personal photos, some office equipment, desk clock, wall photos were recovered at the residence and identified by the victim. During the burglary the suspects also took a Nextel phone, and Nextel was contacted and activated the GPS system in the phone. The latitude and longitude were obtained from Nextel and a map was generated showing a general area in Coolidge, which then led to a specific home with the same coordinates. Investigators and officers conducted a knock and talk, recovered the Nextel cell phone and no other items were found. The suspects were subsequently arrested. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: On July 16 a fight between two men started in the parking lot of a local church. During the fight one subject cut the other with an unidentified object, causing a three to four inch long by one to two inch deep laceration. The injured subject was transported to the hospital by ambulance. GRAFFITTI FOLLOW UP: Investigators conducted interviews at the Pinal County Jail in reference to the ongoing graffiti problem in Coolidge. ADULT ABUSE: Investigations was assigned to follow up on an adult abuse investigation with the assistance of Adult Protective Services. It was determined that the subject was determined to be competent by APS and was not being abused. SUSPECT SENTENCES: Angel Valencia Mendoza was sentenced to 16 years at DOC for 2nd Degree murder. Mitchell Stretch was sentenced to six months probation for disorderly conduct/domestic violence, William Norwood was sentenced to one year probation for shoplifting/theft, Jesus Valenzuela was sentenced to four years probation and 141 days in jail for extreme DUI, Gene Johnson was sentenced to 1.5 years DOC for shoplifting/theft, Rossi Ruis was sentenced to one year probation for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, Larry Williams was sentenced to 90 days jail for aggravated robbery, James H. Smith was sentenced to 5 years probation and six days in jail for possession of marijuana and dangerous drugs, Norma Valdez was sentenced to one year probation and three days in jail for burglary.

4 CASES FOR REVIEW: Investigations forwarded 27 cases to the County Attorney s Office. Ten were approved, four were reduced to misdemeanor charges, one case was declined and 12 remain pending. TRAINING/MEETINGS: Investigators attended the following meetings: Child Fatality Review Board meeting; Liaison meeting with Eloy Family Advocacy; MDT Family Resource Center meeting. Sergeant Walker attended defense interviews in reference to a fatal traffic accident pending civil trial. Sergeant Walker participated in a commercial vehicle weight/inspection detail in Johnson Ranch for a joint agency task force.

5 OFFENSES INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION NUMBER OF CASES RECEIVED & CLOSED NUMBER OF CASES RECEIVED JULY 2005 TOTAL CLOSED BY ARREST EXCEPTIONAL MEANS HOMICIDE/ATTEMPT RAPE/SEXUAL OFFENSES ASSAULTS & AGGAVATED ASSAULT BURGLARY RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL LARCENY/ FELONY/THEFT & FRAUD MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT KIDNAPPING ARSON CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT MISSING/RUNAWAY JUVENILE EXTORTION NSF CHECK/FORGERY NARCOTICS OTHER: *** OLD CASE S CLOSED 6 1 5

8 YTD 2005 Juvenile Activity Motor Vehicle Theft 14%

13 I Calls, for Senrice Historical Data Yen

14 YTD Calb for Service by Beat

16 I COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION I Monthly Activity Report Julu 2005 YTD Calk Handled by Communications In-%use Wquaw No CAD Fnty 14%

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17 I 1 - 'a ii ~ 1 I I Citations Historical Data Arrests Historical Data \,.. 7 1, I 1

COOLIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT. Monthly Activity Report

COOLIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT. Monthly Activity Report COOLIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT Monthly Activity Report June 2006 Department Activities CAC INTERVIEW PANEL: Chief Palmer served as a member of an interview panel at CAC to fill a vacant Criminal Justice professor