Public Safety Committee addresses ordinances, traffic and animal control issues

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Alarm and parking ordinances, a recommendation regarding motorized scooters, illegal immigrant traffic, a police services study and the city’s Emergency Plan. Maricopa’s Public Safety Advisory Committee has been working for the past several months on these varied issues. Many of them are currently in the hands of the city attorney pursuant to legal review.

An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Pinal County is now waiting for city approval. When that agreement is in place, residents will have to follow the new alarm ordinance and may be fined for alarm misuse. The parking ordinance is also under review. It will cover illegal parking in disabled spaces, on sidewalks, in front of mailboxes, loading zones and abandoned vehicles. No Parking red zones are anticipated to help end illegal parking.

The committee has recommended a street ban on motorized skateboards and, according to Lieutenant Scott Elliott, “Motorcycle enforcement rules apply to them.”

Elliott told the committee that, although they have not received recent complaints about illegal immigrants, there are areas under surveillance at all times.

Maricopa’s Emergency Plan Command Center is being set up at the fire department. It should be completed in approximately two weeks so that the communications aspects can be worked out. The police services study will go to the City Council and city staff shortly.

Resident Chris Falcone presented issues regarding noise and young children being on construction sites, what he termed “the 18 months of criminal irresponsibility on the part of contractors in this city.” Falcone explained that he had complained to the construction companies and OSHA, without sufficient results. He had also tried to contact the Sheriff’s substation, without getting a response.

Elliott explained that the (520) 568-2233 number is an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. office number. To report non-emergency problems or suspicious activity, the 24/7 number is (520) 866-5111. He also directed Falcone to meet with the Sheriff’s Office in regard to the noise issues and lack of response.

According to Falcone, trespassing on the golf course by ATV riders is sometimes a problem. He was told that No Trespassing signs must be posted and a consent to enforce letter filed with the Sheriff’s Office locally.

12“We can certainly sympathize with your concerns,” Chairman Brent Murphree responded. “Unfortunately, we’re in a construction zone right now. It’s a manpower issue. We’ll look into it.” Murphree also reminded Falcone that the committee, composed of citizens like him, is really powerless to take any specific action.

Traffic Problems
“The potential for long-range traffic problems on SR 347 is evident given last week’s fatalities,” explained Murphree. “It’s a funnel.” Elliott added that three minor accidents occurred during the traffic backup.

Sheriff’s Posse member, Greg Morrow cited the difficulty of turning left onto SR347 from the schools on Honeycutt Avenue. Maricopa Elementary School has rerouted traffic to expedite a solution to this problem. Carl Diedrich suggested a speed limit posting box on SR347 might help. Elliott added that there will be two motorcycle officers on SR347 by the end of the summer. DPS is responsible for regular patrol on the highway.

Murphree told the group that a light has been approved on Casa Blanca Road and SR 347. At Riggs Road, there is a left turn signal, but no left turn signal on Maricopa Road onto Riggs for some reason.

Animal Control
Pinal County does require the licensing of pets. The nearest shelter is at Eleven Mile Corner, which is 30 miles away. Maricopa needs its own temporary shelter. According to Diedrich, the November Maricopa Mutt March will help fund the city’s first dog park. After that funds will be directed toward an animal control shelter.

Fire Services
According to Maricopa Fire Department spokesperson, Cindy Inskeep, the department responded to 120 calls during the month of December. Last year, for the same month, there were 41 calls. In December 2005, 92 calls were for emergency medical services (EMS); last year there were 29 such calls. The Alterra fire station has broken ground and will, hopefully, be completed by June or July.

Sheriff’s Office
Elliott reported that in December the Sheriff’s Office in Maricopa responded to 549 calls. Of those calls: 98 were alarm calls – all false -, 28 were accidents, 52 involved thefts, 21 for criminal damage, 71 traffic citations and 59 arrests, among other types of calls.

R.J. Harrison will be leaving the Maricopa office to join the Commercial Vehicle Squad. Following the addition of new deputies and the graduation of three more last week, the staff in Maricopa will consist of 12 deputies and four administrative positions. At that point the ratio will be .7 law enforcement officers per 1,000 residents.

Arb Campbell questioned Elliott, “I have a problem with the City of Maricopa paying officers for training when they’re supposed to be working the streets. One or two maybe, but not half the force.” Elliott responded that the pay did not include academy time, and that the 50% in training reflected the hiring situation all across Pinal County. Greg Morrow, a Sheriff’s Posse member, explained that the trainees do provide a second person on calls.

Drug Free Communities Program
Joe Trujillo
was appointed to represent the committee in this program, which focuses on solutions for drug and alcohol problems as well as counseling for them.

The next meeting of the Public Safety Advisory Committee will be Wednesday, February 22. The meeting, originally scheduled for the previous Monday, was changed due to Presidents Day.