|
Captain Matthew Brady
Operations Division East
August 2025
2025 Maccabi Games
During the last week of July, the City of Tucson was host to the 2025 Maccabi Games. This event drew over 1,000 young Jewish athletes from across the United States, Israel, Ukraine, and other countries. Events were held at multiple venues throughout the city and Pima County. Our goal was to ensure the safety of the athletes, coaches, families, and sports fans while they were here in Tucson.
Operations Division East was the site of the girls' basketball tournament, which was held at Udall Park. In addition, close to 300 athletes stayed at a hotel in ODE while in Tucson. And finally, the closing ceremonies were held in ODE, at the Pima Air and Space Museum.
This type of event requires a great deal of planning and logistics for it to run smoothly. We recognize that there may have been some inconvenience to regular users at some of these venues, and we want to thank you for your patience and understanding – which helped allow these amazing young athletes to compete in such a special event.
|
Addressing Organized Retail Theft
ODE has an officer dedicated to working cases centered around shoplifting and organized retail theft. Our division works to build partnerships with businesses in our community to help alleviate the problems they face related to these types of crimes.
One example of this type of case occurred on July 28th. Officers responded to a major retail store where a repeat shoplifter was recognized by store employees. When officers arrived, they made contact with the individual, who was detained after exiting the store with a cart full of unpaid-for items, including clothing, food, electronics, speakers, and a sound bar – all of which were displayed for sale. It was also determined that the same individual had shoplifted several hundred dollars' worth of items the day before.
Between the two incidents, $1,592.78 in stolen goods was recovered. The individual was arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated shoplifting and organized retail theft.
Burglary Suspect Arrested
On July 30th, ODE officers responded to the area of East 22nd Street and South Sarnoff Drive regarding a suspicious person. While officers were circulating the area, they were flagged down by a resident about a burglary in progress.
ODE officers coordinated a response to the residence where this was occurring and contained the house. Officers were able to make contact with the individual, and detain him. During the investigation, this individual was determined to be a suspect in three other burglary cases. He was arrested on burglary and criminal damage charges and booked into the Pima County Jail.
We want to thank the residents for reporting suspicious activity that led to this arrest. If you see something suspicious, please don’t hesitate to call 911 to make a report.
ODE Statistics
Activity
|
Type
|
2025 Division Year to Date
|
2025 Department Year to Date
|
|
Calls for Service
|
20,913
|
89,955
|
|
Officer-initiated Activity
|
3,597
|
19,258
|
|
Gun-related Crime
|
16
|
97
|
|
Homicide
|
3
|
40
|
|
Traffic Citations
|
1,581
|
24,017
|
|
|
Staffing
|
Type
|
2025 Division Year to Date
|
2025 Department Year to Date
|
|
Sworn Members
|
96
|
801
|
|
Community Service Officers
|
30
|
141
|
|
Professional Staff Investigators
|
2
|
33
|
|
Professional Staff
|
3
|
246
|
|
|
Back to School at Palo Verde High
 On July 26th, multiple community partners, along with ODE personnel Officer Anissa Castle and CSOs Aaron Baranello, Teresa Hayward, Carrie Ord, and Martin Villa, participated in a family and community resource fair to hand out back-to-school backpacks and pencil packets at Palo Verde High Magnet School.
This event keeps growing every year and offers a number of resources to TUSD families as they prepare for the new school year. Good luck to all of our students returning to school in ODE this year, and thank you teachers and staff for all you do for our students!
Slow Down in School Zones and Around Buses
Since schools are back in session, we want to remind everyone to slow down in school zones and around school buses. Speeding and passing in school zones is dangerous for children and crossing guards. Passing a school bus that is stopped with its flashing red lights and stop sign extended is also dangerous. Children don’t always look both ways before crossing the street, either in a crosswalk, or getting on or off the bus.
Please slow down and be patient around school zones and school buses.
Member Highlight
This month’s member highlight goes out to Lead Patrol Officer Matt Timpf.
Matt has 18 years of service with the Tucson Police Department. While he's not one for the spotlight, Matt is continually maintaining relationships with businesses, community members, and City Parks and Recreation employees in the division. He has successfully addressed several quality of life and safety issues throughout the Pima Street corridor, Tanque Verde and Grant area, and multiple city parks. When not being proactive, he is handling calls for service, mentoring junior officers, and acknowledging and pointing out the good work fellow officers are doing. Matt is always willing to help, even if it means coming in on a day off to help fill staffing shortages.
Matt’s prior service with the S.W.A.T. team means that he brings a tactical mindset to the table, not just in the field, but also during training. He has led and assisted with several squad-based trainings covering use of force, levels of force, levels of resistance, and Graham vs. Connor. He actively shares his knowledge and experience, all while maintaining a humble character.
Matt, thank you for your service and keep up the good work!
|
Crime Prevention Tip
It's easy to become overwhelmed by issues like gun violence and mass shootings. But there are ways individuals can help.
Sandy Hook Promise is one organization that has dedicated itself to protecting children from gun violence.
Founded in honor of the children and adults who were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Sandy Hook Promise offers programs for parents, educators, and students, including research-informed approaches to violence prevention. To learn more, visit https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/what-we-do/programs/
|
Join the Tucson Police Department
Know someone who cares about Tucson and would be a good fit for TPD and Operations Division East?
Send them this QR code and encourage them to apply!
|
|
|
|
|
|
