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Mobilizing for Community Safety
Earlier this week, the Ward 3 office and TPD’s Operations Division West hosted a meeting with neighbors in the area in and around Ft. Lowell Road between Stone Avenue and Oracle Road. Neighbors were invited to hear about existing efforts by TPD and Ward 3 to address concerns from neighbors over intensified street-level drug use, property damage, fires, and violent crime.
Tucson Police Captain Chris Dennison, who heads Operations Division West, presented some of the ongoing actions that Tucson police are taking. He affirmed the issues that residents reported. He shared that the area is the Division's primary crime hot spot. In addition to regular undercover drug investigations targeting major drug sellers, Lt. Anthony De La Ossa shared that the department has begun to coordinate among area businesses to strengthen efforts to combat shoplifting and property damage. Many businesses in attendance echoed the need for greater engagement and have taken steps to support greater safety in the area.
From Ward 3, Sarah Launius, Matt Kopec, and incoming-Council Member Kevin Dahl, joined the twenty people in attendance to share updates and to do a lot of listening. Sarah presented the non-policing tools and interventions that the Ward office is pursuing with support from TPD and community members. These efforts include weekly checks by the City’s outreach workers with Housing and Community Development, and proactive weekly scans by the City’s graffiti-removal contractor.
Sarah also touched on the ongoing Vacant and Neglect Structures program that Ward 3 helped revise and re-launch in 2019. This program has already produced significant improvements for five previously abandoned and neglected properties along East and West Navajo Street immediately north of Ft. Lowell. Sarah shared that the Ward 3 office recently submitted a request for additional street lighting along Ft. Lowell and on neighborhood streets immediately south of the Ft. Lowell and Oracle intersection.
Importantly, the Ward 3 team shared about the long-term and transformative work that the City is driving to expand housing affordability, to prevent homelessness, and fine-tuning and expanding housing first options which have proven effective at alleviating chronic homelessness. These efforts are critical even while Ward 3 and TPD may undergo more temporary interventions to disrupt a cycle of violence and addiction.
Additionally, Sarah and Captain Dennison shared that they had been investigating areas susceptible to drug sales and prostitution because of their design and lack of visibility, including a nearby alley. With neighbors’ input and support, the two identified the possibility of reducing traffic into those spaces to disrupt negative patterns.
The morning after our evening meeting, TPD Officers Hould and Bradway visited an alley in the area, the subject of conversation the night before and one that they had been checking regularly for weeks. The officers found a woman overdosing with approximately 20 onlookers. They administered Naloxone and the woman, thankfully, recovered. Following the incident, and bolstered by neighbors, TPD and Ward 3 acted swiftly to close the alley.
The story doesn’t stop there, however. This temporary intervention is only one of many efforts that the City, local businesses, and area residents will embark on in the coming months, including a follow-up meeting in approximately 4-6 weeks so we can track progress and provide updates. For more information, please contact Ward 3 at ward3@tucsonaz.gov. Thank you.
You have probably seen his Southwestern style murals as you travel about town. Danny Martin is a prolific Ward 3 artist who paints not only murals, but animal portraits, historic neon signs and draws intricate architectural studies of the Old Pueblo.
An example from Danny’s collection of neon signs located in Ward 3 at La Siesta Motel, 1602 N Oracle Rd.
We would like to thank Danny for his beautiful rendition of the old fire house where the Ward 3 office is now located at 1510 E Grant Rd.
City Employees Nearly 100% Vaccinated
In the effort to maintain public health and that of the City’s workforce, 90% of the 3,925 fulltime, permanent City employees have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. In 12 of 17 City departments, there is 100% compliance, employees who are fully vaccinated or have received an exemption or accommodation. The City granted medical exemptions to 109 employees and 241 received religious exemptions. According to the City’s vaccine policy, unvaccinated employees who are not compliant with the policy will be terminated.
Mayor Regina Romero, in her State of the City address Thursday afternoon, said the City's vaccination policy was a difficult decision to make but an important one to help preserve the health and safety of the City's employees and by extension the public. She expressed her appreciation for the City Council and City staff for supporting the vaccine mandate.
State of the City
In Thursday's State of the City address, Mayor Regina Romero thanked her Council colleagues, City staff and Tucson residents for their resiliency in meeting the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In combating the virus, the Mayor expressed the City's appreciation to the Pima County Health Department for its efforts in making vaccines available to as many people possible.
"This Mayor and Council have been leaders in our response to the pandemic, taking action and making difficult decisions at every turn, with the specific intent to follow the science and protect every single Tucson resident," she said.
She also extended the City's appreciation to the State's senators and congressional delegation for assisting Tucson in receiving $67 million of American Rescue Plan dollars.
"These dollars were intended to usher in transformative change. I have worked with Council Members Uhlich and Santa Cruz, to develop a framework to be used to inform our decision-making, she said. "We are using an equity lens to strategically invest in programs, services and infrastructure that will help us along our path to full recovery in a way that will make a difference in the quality of life for every single Tucsonan."
She said that federal relief funds will stabilize affordable housing, prevent crime through violence interruption programs and invest in historically disenfranchised communities. Additionally money is being invested in youth employment, mental and behavioral health, digital literacy, expanding services to seniors and teens, climate resilient strategies and more.
"We are prioritizing providing relief for families, those who were hardest hit by Covid, essential and frontline workers and small businesses," the Mayor said.
Working with City Departments, the Mayor and Council will develop transportation and mobility future through Move Tucson and housing affordability.
"We are crafting strategic plans for economic development, art, history, heritage, culture, and climate action," she said. “These are 21st century action plans to get us to the future we deserve reflecting the wishes and needs of Tucsonans.”
Ward 3 Gem
If you have driven north on First Avenue, and surely many of you have, very likely you have spied the marquee at a tire shop on the northeast corner of East Blacklidge Drive. The sign carries ever-changing messages of whimsy, humor, and street philosophy.
Like this one: “I Wish Noah Had Swatted Those Two Mosquitos.”
Or how ‘bout this one: “In a World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Kind.”
And there was this: “Honk if you enjoy peace and quiet.”
The messages are the work of Anthony Hemeyer and Edward “Butch” Foster, manager and assistant manager respectively at Jack Furrier Tire & Auto Care, 3002 N. First Ave., on the edge of the Hedrick Acres neighborhood.
“We want something unique,” Anthony said.
And something that will make people smile. Like this one: "Don't Give Up Your Dreams, Keep Sleeping."
With Christmas around the corner, motorists can expect to see messages like these two: "Peace on Earth, Goodwill To Men, Batteries Not Included" and "Christmas Is A Magical Time Of the Year...I Just Watched All My Money Magically Disappear."
The marquee messages have been a staple for more than five years, Anthony said. The rotating words are popular with passing motorists. Some honk while passing by, which shows that they prefer quiet and peace.
"And some people stop to talk about the messages," he added.
Anthony and Butch search the Internet for appealing messages. Or their boss, Rick Furrier will send them suggestions. Often the wordsmith duo will mash up two or more messages they like into one.
"You gotta do something to catch people," said Anthony, who has worked for the local tire company, off and on for 10 years.
Next time you drive north on First Avenue and as you pass the tire shop, take a quick and safe glance at the marquee. And smile at the pleasant words that will make your day.
"Remember if you can't say something nice, make it funny."
Resource Café
The ASU Office of Community Health, Engagement and Resiliency presents the Thrive 05 Resource Café series. Each Wednesday, from noon to 12:30 pm., the Resource Café offers topics, issues and individuals from around Tucson. The live broadcast can be watched on the Thrive Facebook page or later along with previous sessions at this link.
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Ward 3 Events
Cyclovia Remix at La Madera Park
Living Streets Alliance is hosting a Park Party at La Madera Park, 2700 E La Madera Dr., Sunday, 2-5 pm, as part of the Cyclovia Remix series.
Bring the whole family for:
Free bike repair services + helmets
Lawn and giant board games
Free COVID vaccines/boosters (if you have been fully vaccinated for at least 6 months - bring your vaccination card!)
Chalk art and kid's activities
Smiling faces & neighborhood connections
In addition, a representative from the Department of Transportation and Mobility will be at the park park from 2-5pm with another opportunity for residents to review the 30% design for the Blacklidge Bicycle Boulevard.
Thrive in the 05 Business Forum
Reconnect in-person with local Thrive in the 05 business owners as we discuss and continue to develop strategies together to work towards solving the local challenges that you experience as business owners within the Thrive in the 05 corridor and work towards creating a Thrive in the 05 Business Coalition. The forum will be held Dec. 13 from 5:30-7 pm at Monterey Court, 505 W. Miracle Mile.
Participation is limited to local Thrive in the 05 business owners/business representatives. Register here for the in-person session.
Amphi Neighborhood Cleanup
December 12
9-10:30 am
Prince and Yavapai roads
Meet at Literacy Connects, 200 E. Yavapai Rd., around 8:45am to get vests, gloves, grabbers, and trash bags. Masks are optional. Bring water and dress appropriately. The people who want to work on Prince can drive and park on a side street. The rest will work on Yavapai.
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Here's the schedule for the Ward 3 Ready, Set, Rec! van. Staff from Parks and Recreation have games and activities for families and children. First up is McCormick Park on Friday, Dec. 3 and end of the month on Dec. 23 at La Madera Park. Find your neighborhood park and enjoy a December outing. |
Ward 3 Office Hours
The Ward 3 office at 1510 E. Grant Rd. is Monday from 9 am-1 pm. Masks are required while in the Ward office. Social distancing also is advised.
Please call the Ward office at 520-791-4711 if you have questions. Email the office at ward3@tucsonaz.gov
The community room will not be available for groups to meet until possibly in January.
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Meetings
Donation Drive for Migrant Families
Casa Alitas, which provides temporary shelter for migrant families, is collecting clothes, specifically new socks and underwear that are still in the package for adults and children, and gently used bras. Donations can be dropped off at the Ward 3 office, 1510 E. Grant Rd., from 9 am-1 pm, Monday through Friday.
For more information go to this site.
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