Councilman Tom Simplot
February 2008
Another Productive District 4 Crime Summit
Neighbors problem solving with fellow neighbors: that was the premise for the District 4 Crime Summit.
Now in its fifth year, the most recent crime summit held on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Valley Garden Center brought together neighbors, community leaders, elected officials and law enforcement personnel to discuss ways of fighting against crime in our neighborhoods. By communicating and working together, participants pinpointed the most common crime issues affecting our neighborhoods and brainstormed ideas to address those problems in a better way.
As in our previous summits, the working groups focused on property crimes, identity theft, blight and graffiti issues, drug crime and even traffic problems. Many ideas were generated to address these problems; some that can be implemented and others that need more thought or time before being put into action. Some ideas that have resulted in City Council action in the past include:
- Stiffer fines and active enforcement against Loud Party Ordinance offenders
- Stiffer penalties for graffiti offenders;
- Better communication with juvenile judges who oversee juvenile cases;
- Utilizing “flash” cameras at graffiti hot spot locations; and
- Tighter control on the substances used to make crystal meth.
Our annual crime summit has proven again and again that the best solutions come directly from our residents who face the challenges every day. Special thanks to those residents who volunteered their Saturday morning to do just that.
Councilman Tom Simplot represents District 4, which includes parts of north central Phoenix. If you have questions, comments or suggestions on this or any other issue, contact his office at council.district.4@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-7447.