TPD Patrol Division South Newsletter - October 2025

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Captain Flores in uniform in front of an American flag.

Captain Dominic Flores
Operations Division South

October 2025

Substation Lobby Closed to Public

Notice that substation lobby is closed, directing people to report by phone, online, or at other substations.

As construction continues on the new Southside Public Safety Center, we must close our existing public lobby for an extended period of several months.

Contact ODS by phone during regular business hours at 520-791-4949, or email ODS@tucsonaz.gov. Please DO NOT report crimes or urgent matters via email.

For in-person assistance, please visit police headquarters at 270 S Stone Avenue or one of our other substations: 1100 S Alvernon Way, 1310 W Miracle Mile, or 9670 E Golf Links.

Non-emergencies can be reported by calling 311 or going online at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Residents/311-Service-Request-Portal.

An Invitation to the Community / Te Invitamos

Please join officers from Operations Division South at our upcoming Divisional Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting.
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Location: Cherry Recreation Center, 5085 South Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85706
Be sure to send your RSVP to anna.mendoza@tucsonaz.gov

Te invitamos a nuestra próxima reunión del Comité Asesor Divisional (DAC) de la División de Operaciones Sur (DAC).
Fecha: Jueves, 13 de Noviembre, 2025
Tiempo: 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Ubicación: Cherry Recreation Center, 5085 South Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85706
Para más información, póngase en contacto con Oficial de Servicio Comunitario (CSO) Anna Mendoza, (520) 403-2836, o en su email: anna.mendoza@tucsonaz.gov

ODS Operations

October 1, 2025

ODS officers were conducting surveillance operations near Granito Vista and Campbell on an unrelated matter when a surveillance unit was confronted by an adult male. The male was armed with a handgun during the confrontation and was holding it down by his side. The plainclothes surveillance officer was able to communicate with the suspect, who didn't know he was interacting with a police officer. He then left the area and walked to a residence in the 2000 block of East Granito Vista. Through research, officers were able to positively identify the male holding the gun, and it was discovered that he was a prohibited possessor.

On October 15th, Officer Haley conducted follow-up at the residence on East Granito Vista in regards to an unrelated domestic violence case where the same suspect was wanted for questioning. Once detained, a search warrant was obtained for the residence and executed. Ultimately, the suspect admitted involvement in the confrontation with the surveillance officer, and admitted that he was in possession of a firearm at the time of the confrontation. In addition to the DV charges, he was arrested for weapons misconduct – prohibited possessor.

Officers also recognized that a robbery from the previous night had a suspect description matching the suspect they had detained. Officers conducted follow-up at a gas station in the 1900 block of East Ajo Way, and noted that clothing worn by the robbery suspect was located at the house during execution of the search warrant. The suspect was questioned about the robbery as well and admitted involvement. Officers returned to the residence and were able to recover the clothing used in the robbery. The suspect was booked for prohibited possessor, robbery, and DV charges.

October 2, 2025

While conducting proactive policing in the area of South 12th Avenue and West Ajo Way, Officer Manny Avalos observed a Gray 2007 Ford F150 bearing an Arizona plate. A records check revealed that that the vehicle had a suspended registration. A traffic stop was conducted, and officers made contact with the vehicle occupants. Officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view, and a search was conducted on the front passenger, an adult male. Possession amounts of a crystal-like substance and fentanyl pills were located. The crystal-like substance was weighed and tested positive for meth. The male was booked into the Pima County Jail for possession of a dangerous drug.

October 9, 2025

A black GMC truck was observed running the stop sign at South Liberty Avenue and West Aviation Drive and heading south at a high rate of speed. The vehicle then stopped at the intersection of South Liberty and West Michigan and began to spin its tires, causing a screeching sound. The vehicle then continued south before making a U-turn and pulling in to the front of a residence in the 300 block of West MacArthur, where the driver, an adult male, exited and walked toward the residence.

The driver was stopped and identified. An AR style rifle was in plain view in the front passenger seat. A records check revealed that the driver had been convicted of a felony and there was no indication his rights had been restored. An active order of protection was also located, which had been served on him on January 1, 2025, that stated he was not to be in possession of any firearms. 5 blue pills consistent with fentanyl were located in the vehicle's center console. The subject was placed under arrest and booked into the Pima County Jail.

October 17, 2025

Officers were aware of a felony arrest warrant for an adult male in reference to two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that stemmed from a shooting at Fiesta Park. On October 17th, officers were in the 200 block of West Irvington Road when they positively identified the suspect attempting to walk away. He was taken into custody without incident with the assistance of K9 Officer Danaher (K9 Bosco) and K9 Officer Gutierrez (K9 Helio).

A loaded revolver was located on the suspect's person, along with M30 pills (in a sales amount) and suspected meth. Detectives were contacted and responded. The suspect was determined to be a prohibited possessor, and there were no indications that his rights had been restored. The suspected meth was weighed and tested positive for meth. The suspect's warrant was confirmed, and he was transported to the Pima County Jail, where he was booked on his felony warrant, prohibited possessor, narcotics drug sales, possession of a firearm during a narcotics offense, dangerous drug possession, and paraphernalia charges.

ODS Statistics

Activity

Type	2025 Division Year to Date	2025 Department Year to Date
Calls for Service	27,002	115.443
Officer-initiated Activity	5,297	24,553
Gun-related Crime	42	113
Homicide	15	44
Traffic Citations	2,143	19,395

Staffing

Type	2025 Division Year to Date	2025 Department Year to Date
Sworn Members	114	801
Community Service Officers	22	136
Professional Staff Investigators	3	32
Professional Staff	2	245

ODS in the Community

Officers from Operations Division South were invited by Barrio Santa Rita Park – West Ochoa to join in the fun at the 6th Annual Boo in the Barrio Trunk or Treat on Oct 18th. Neighborhood Association President Angie Quiroz thanked Chief Kasmar for our involvement with these kind words:

"We owe our deepest gratitude to the Southside Operations Division for the oversight and leadership as provided by Captain Dominic Flores and his staff at our event. Their presence provided a welcoming sense of comfort, allowing everyone to enjoy an evening of fun and safe entertainment with their families.

We are also grateful to the Explorers for their help with various tasks, and their eagerness in wanting to help us with the kids. It is an excellent program..."

2 photos: An officer poses with an adorable toddler in a green Monsters costume; a CSO poses with a cute older girl in a police costum.

ODS officers also supported the Quincie Douglas Center’s Trunk or Treat event on October 11th. This free event drew well over 5,000 community members!

A TPD officer and a CSO in uniform smile for the camera at a nighttime Halloween event. Many kids and families are seen queuing up for candy..

ODS Member Highlights

Two department portraits of officers in uniform, a male and a female, in front of American flags.

On July 24, 2025, LPO Merlin (left) and Officer Wade (right) conducted follow-up in the 1400 block of West Ajo Way in reference to an adult male suspect who had a stop and arrest for exposing himself to a minor and an adult.

On February 2, 2025, the suspect was at a laundromat in the 3700 block of South 12th Avenue, when he exposed himself to a 9-year-old girl. The girl’s mother observed the suspect trying to get her daughter’s attention and that he was exposing and touching himself. The suspect left the laundromat on an electric scooter before police arrived. Video surveillance from the business was obtained.

LPO Merlin and Officer Wade checked an area where the suspect was known to stay to see if they could locate his scooter, or obtain additional information on his life patterns. While on scene, LPO Merlin spotted a subject matching the suspect’s description across a large parking lot. LPO Merlin was able to use binoculars to positively identify him.

The suspect was riding his electric scooter and was stopped by Officer Wade and LPO Merlin and detained without incident. Officer Wade interviewed the suspect where he denied the allegations. He was placed under arrest for Indecent Exposure (M1), Public Sexual Indecency (M1), Indecent Exposure to a person under 15 (F6), and Public Sexual Indecency to a minor under 15 (F5). Buccal swabs were collected and he was booked into the Pima County Jail.

Department portrait of uniformed male officer in front of an American flag.

On September 18, 2025, a stop and interview/officer safety flier was distributed for an adult male suspect and his white Chevrolet Silverado in reference to a drive-by shooting and aggravated assault.

Officer Weeks was in the area of South Park Avenue and East 36th Street when he located the vehicle traveling east on 36th Street. He positively identified the driver as the suspect from the flier and conducted an investigative stop.

The suspect was contacted and detained. Detectives responded and obtained a search warrant for his vehicle and his residence. A 9 mm handgun was located inside the residence. The vehicle was impounded and the suspect was transported to jail, where he was booked for drive-by shooting, discharging a firearm at a residential structure, and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Crime Prevention Tip

Barcode-tagged handgun on laboratory bench, bullets nearby.

TPD works every day to reduce gun violence – by vigorously pursuing enforcement against prohibited possessors, treating non-fatal shooting investigations – even with uncooperative victims – as high priorities, and working diligently to solve homicides. TPD also works to connect at-risk youth with job, educational, housing, addiction, and mental health services.

These approaches are proving effective, but what other factors might reduce gun violence?

In 2018, the Rand Corporation established The National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research with funding from Arnold Ventures. Over 5 years, NCGVR funded 57 research projects on reducing gun violence. You can read about what they've learned here: https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2024/08/the-national-collaborative-on-gun-violence-research.html

October / November Events

10/23/25, 1700-1830	St. John's Parish Procession	602 W Ajo Way
10/25/25, 0830-1200	Barrio Street Community Walk	902 S Verdugo Ave
10/25/25, 1000-1400	DEA Prescription Take Back Event	1795 W Valencia Rd
10/27/25, 0800-1200	School Presentation	Santa Cruz Catholic School, 29 W 22nd St
10/29/25, 1700-1900	Trunk or Treat	Challenger Middle School
10/31/25, 0700-0830	Halloween Parade	C.E. Rose K-8
10/31/25, 0900-1030	Elvira Halloween Parade	Elvira Elementary School
10/31/25, 1700-1930	Halloween Event	Santa Rosa Neighborhood Center, 1080 S 10th Ave
11/5/25, 1730-1900	Project Safe Event	2800 S Mission Rd
11/8/25, 1000-1500	Car Show	St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 602 W Ajo Way
11/13/25, 1700-1900	DAC Meeting	Cherry Avenue Recreation Center, 5085 S Cherry Ave
11/17/25, 1800-1930	Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Meeting	101 W Irvington Rd
11/19/25	Volunteer Brunch	St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 602 W Ajo Way

Join the Tucson Police Department

ODS QR code that links to TPD recruiting page.

Know someone who cares about Tucson and would be a good fit for TPD and Operations Division South?

Send them this QR code and encourage them to apply!

Links

Graffiti Removal
TPD Non-Emergency Online Reporting System
Report a Code Violation (weeds, trash, junked vehicles, building or sign violations)
Report a Homeless Encampment
File a Trespass Letter (for businesses)
TPD Website
For emergencies: call 911
For police non-emergencies: call (520) 791-4444

For accommodations; materials in accessible formats; foreign language interpreters; and/or materials in a language other than English, please contact the Tucson Police Department Public Information Office at (520) 791-4852 or (520) 791-2639 for TDD at least five (5) business days in advance.

Para arreglos; materiales en formatos accesibles; interpretes de idioma extranjero; y/o materiales en otro idioma que no sea inglés, por favor comunicarse al Departamento de la Policía de Tucson a la sección de Información Pública al (520) 791-4852 o (520) 791-2639 para TDD por lo menos con cinco (5) días hábiles de anticipació.