| Councilwoman O’Brien Announces Plan to Make Phoenix Police Officers Highest Paid Arizona Law Enforcement Agency | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/2378 | | City Council District 1 | 6/9/2022 3:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2378/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpg | | Councilwoman O’Brien Announces Plan to Make Phoenix Police Officers Highest Paid Arizona Law Enforcement Agency | <div class="ExternalClassE8966A4C65C64AC88B6A793E1170EDA1"><html>
"For decades the City of Phoenix Police Department was the go-to for a career in law enforcement. Academy classes would fill every seat in the classroom. Venues the size of small theaters would be rented for family and friends to join cadets in their graduation ceremonies. But, when the financial crisis of 2008 hit and Phoenix needed to find creative solutions to lessen the impact, the Council at the time put a freeze on hiring new officers. In doing so, we also froze our ability to stay competitive.<br><br>
Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the country and ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors is of the utmost importance. In an increasingly competitive job market where Phoenix is competing with our fellow municipalities, the county and the state, we needed to find a solution to retain our officers and provide an enticing incentive in the recruitment of more officers.<br><br>
When I came into office last year, I made police staffing levels one of my top priorities. I quickly called a strategy group together of various stakeholders comprised of Police Union leaders, Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Human Resources Director David Mathews, Executive Assistant Chief Mike Kurtenbach, and Chief Jeri Williams to begin discussions on increasing compensation levels for our new recruits and existing officers.<br><br>
After performing a compensation study and researching other jurisdiction's pay rates, we realized our officers were sitting at the bottom of the scale compared to our sister municipalities. We then pulled in City Manager Jeff Barton and Budget Director Amber Williamson to crunch the numbers. As a result, we were able to come up with a plan to restructure the salary scale to ensure every officer will receive greater earning potential and no one will see a decrease in pay.<br><br>
This plan, if approved by my fellow councilmembers, will ensure Phoenix once again has the most competitive and attractive police department in Arizona by ensuring our officers and recruits will be the highest paid department throughout the state of Arizona by 10 percent!<br><br>
I am beyond thankful to staff for seeing a problem and being so willing to tackle it head on with me. We still have so much work to do in order to bring the number of sworn officers back to where we were prior to the 2008 financial crisis, but this salary restructuring will certainly help!<br><br>
<p style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);text-align:justify;">Read more about my plan by <a target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/police/2377" href="/newsroom/police/2377">clicking here</a>."<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district1 | News | district-1 | District 1 | Ann | O’Brien |
| Councilwoman O'Brien Wishes Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams Well in Retirement | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/2331 | | City Council District 1 | 5/3/2022 5:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2331/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpg | | Councilwoman O'Brien Wishes Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams Well in Retirement | <div class="ExternalClass648445C6C64740949373BEB5AD612048"><html>
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“I am saddened by the news of Chief Jeri Williams’ retirement. Although, I have only gotten to know her over this last year, there simply couldn’t be a more deserving person for retirement.</p>
<p>Chief Williams served her first 22 years in Phoenix and left our department as an Assistant Chief to become Chief of Police in the City of Oxnard, California. While in Oxnard, Chief Williams oversaw the successful implementation of body worn cameras and has long been a supporter of technology and outfitting our officers with every tool they need to be successful. We managed to bring her home from California in October 2016 to serve as our Police Chief.</p>
<p>A 33-year career in law enforcement peppered with awards and accolades. During her time in California, Chief Williams was honored as the California Assembly District 44 Woman of the Year, thanks in part to her leadership and accomplishments as Chief. Here in Phoenix, Chief Williams was honored by the AZ Centennial Legacy Project as one of Arizona’s 48 most intriguing women, again for her leadership in law enforcement. And just last year, Chief Williams was appointed to the Arizona Peace Officer Standards & Training Board.<br></p>
<p>Chief Jeri Williams blazed a trail and will leave behind her success, leadership, and knowledge for her predecessor. She’s left big shoes to fill, but I know the Phoenix Police force has some of the most outstanding individuals, and we will find a worthy replacement to carry on Jeri’s legacy. I hope Chief Williams enjoys her retirement!"<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district1 | News | district-1 | District 1 | Ann | O’Brien |
| Councilwoman O'Brien Works with Phoenix Police to Bring Community Action Officers Back to Precincts | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/2310 | | City Council District 1 | 4/14/2022 1:30:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2310/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpg | | Councilwoman O'Brien Works with Phoenix Police to Bring Community Action Officers Back to Precincts | <div class="ExternalClassC785508BDC40445593828AFAEABA74D0"><html>
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“When the announcement first came out that we were rolling back the number of Community Action Officers allotted to each precinct, I, and many of my constituents, were up in arms! The Community Action Officer (CAO) program is integral to community trust between our Phoenix Police Department and our neighborhoods. Even though we are at an all-time critical low of officers patrolling, it is important to me and my community that we continue our CAO program and keep that trust between neighbors and the officers who swore to protect them. I heard you loud and clear! Working closely with Chief Jeri Williams, we were able to keep one additional CAO in each precinct.”<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district1 | News | district-1 | District 1 | Ann | O’Brien |
| Councilwoman O'Brien Praises Phoenix City Council Passing of New Deer Valley Airport Restaurant | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/2303 | | City Council District 1 | 4/6/2022 10:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2303/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpg | | Councilwoman O'Brien Praises Phoenix City Council Passing of New Deer Valley Airport Restaurant | <div class="ExternalClassFD758C3841D046628CC0671876EC83E3"><html>
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In more exciting news for Deer Valley Airport (DVT), the Phoenix City Council just voted 9-0 to approve a new restaurant for the DVT Terminal. This new restaurant will be called Barrio Brewing and is made possible in partnership with Kind Hospitality. Barrio Brewing will feature local micro brews and regional favorites, serving contemporary Mexican cuisine and traditional pub grub. Travelers and neighborhood patrons will enjoy an earthy, down-home, comfortable dining experience. Barrio Brewing is expected to be an anchor for what is to come for the DVT Terminal.</p>
<p>“I cannot express enough how thrilled my community and I are to see this restaurant space getting new life," Councilwoman Ann O'Brien said. "The previous restaurant hosted many community gatherings from former Councilwoman Williams’ monthly meetings to Community Alliances and Block Watch meetings. When that restaurant closed due to COVID, North Phoenix lost a treasured establishment in our community. I'm confident Barrio Brewing will become a new community hub." </p>
<p>The previous DVT Terminal restaurant was a classic diner-style that invited plane enthusiasts from all over the Valley to watch the planes take off and land. As a result of COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic, the previous restaurant was forced to close its doors. Barrio Brewing is an existing concept based out of Tucson with an additional location in the Mesa-Gateway Airport. </p>
<p>In 2020, Deer Valley Airport was the fifth-busiest airport in the world for touch and goes, thanks to the two flight schools that operated out of the airport. Since the pandemic, one of the flight schools moved to the Goodyear Airport, leaving lots of room to expand and grow. Being one of few municipal airports in the country to have two runways, DVT is prime for an upgrade and pivot to match the needs of the transforming community around it.<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district1 | News | district-1 | District 1 | Ann | O’Brien |
| Councilwoman Ann O’Brien Recognizes National Vietnam War Veterans Day | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/2291 | | City Council District 1 | 3/29/2022 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2291/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpg | | Councilwoman Ann O’Brien Recognizes National Vietnam War Veterans Day | <div class="ExternalClass96EBA52965E340F085141E696AD2986A"><html>
<p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:16px;background-color:window;color:windowtext;">Today, March 29, is National Vietnam War Veterans Day – a day to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families. I recently learned of the late Vietnam veteran Norman Coulter who served our country for 16 years. He received numerous medals including the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Bronze Star to name a few. In his final days, Norman faced a reality all too familiar to veterans – he became homeless.</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:16px;">
<span style="font-family:arial;">Join me in giving Norman the honor he deserves at a memorial service tomorrow, March 30, at 11 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Norman will be placed next to his wife, whose cremated remains he has carried with him since she passed in 2011.<br></span>
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<strong>WHAT:</strong> Memorial Service for Vietnam Veteran Norman Coulter</span>
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<strong>WHEN:</strong> Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 11 a.m.</span>
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<strong>WHERE:</strong> National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona </span></span></p><br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district1 | News | district-1 | District 1 | Ann | O’Brien |
| Councilwoman O’Brien Advocates for Deer Valley Airport Revitalization with Groundbreaking of New Hangars | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/2262 | | City Council District 1 | 3/9/2022 12:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2262/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpg | | Councilwoman O’Brien Advocates for Deer Valley Airport Revitalization with Groundbreaking of New Hangars | <div class="ExternalClassE8857A29EE83499E9AFB9ADCE031058B"><html>
<p>Join Phoenix Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema, and <a href="https://cutteraviation.com/" data-cke-saved-href="https://cutteraviation.com/" target="_blank">Cutter Aviation</a> for a groundbreaking of new corporate hangars at Deer Valley Airport (DVT) this Friday, March 11, 2022. This is the first major private investment into DVT in 20 years, and Councilwoman O'Brien hopes the start of many more investments to come. <br></p>
<p>“Deer Valley is the epitome of Phoenix resilience and rebirth – following in our pioneer footsteps to revitalize a community and bring new life to an area ready for growth,” Councilwoman Ann O’Brien said. “With these new hangars from Cutter Aviation, we take our first steps in partnerships toward more opportunities for this airport and the surrounding business park.”<br></p>
<p>Cutter Aviation is beginning Phase 1 of this construction of corporate hangar space with hopes to have it operational by Super Bowl 2023. Cutter is DVT’s only fixed based operator (FBO), and has invested millions into the airport, with plans to invest even more.<br></p>
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<strong>Background:</strong>
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<p>Deer Valley Airport (DVT) is one of few municipal airports across the country featuring two runways. Prior to the pandemic, DVT was the fifth-busiest airport in the world for takeoffs and landings, thanks to the two pilot schools housed there. Since the pandemic, one flight school has moved and yet, DVT remains in-demand for general aviation and corporate jets. Currently, a 5-year waiting list exists for general aviation hangar space, and 75 new corporate jets are looking to relocate to DVT. <br></p>
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<strong>WHO:</strong> Phoenix District 1 Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, Cutter Aviation President and CEO Will Cutter, and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema </p>
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<strong>WHEN: </strong>
<strong></strong>Friday, March 11 at 12:15 p.m.</p>
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<strong>WHERE: </strong>
<strong></strong>Cutter Aviation Hangar at Deer Valley Airport (732 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, AZ 85027)<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district1 | News | district-1 | District 1 | Ann | O’Brien |
| Councilwoman O'Brien Secures Signatures to Add Police Drone Purchase to Council Agenda | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/2240 | | City Council District 1 | 2/15/2022 4:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2240/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpg | | Councilwoman O'Brien Secures Signatures to Add Police Drone Purchase to Council Agenda | <div class="ExternalClass3DC9D7058F0343B79CB2348AED4D0675"><html>
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"Monday afternoon, I submitted to City Manager, Jeff Barton, and Assistant City Manager, Lori Bays, a signed memo requesting the addition of an agenda item to allow our Police Department to purchase the drones needed to keep them and our residents safe.</p>
<p>The conversation around drones for use by City departments started in 2015, and seven years later, we have barely moved forward. In January of this year, my subcommittee voted on the approval of a pilot program for drone use by our Fire Department to aid in mountain rescues and search parties. During that discussion, one committee member voiced concerns about the potential expansion of the program for our Police Department. The decision was made to remove police from the possible expansion so the Fire Department could move forward. It was requested that Police return to the Public Safety and Justice subcommittee at a later date.</p>
<p>After the incident on February 11th that injured so many of our officers, we cannot wait any longer.</p>
<p>I am pleased to be joined by Mayor Kate Gallego, Councilwoman Debra Stark, and Councilman Jim Waring in calling for this item to be added to the February 16th agenda. We simply cannot continue to kick the can down the road. The time is now to provide our officers with the most up-to-date technology to better protect all our residents and employees.</p>
<p>I call on all my fellow councilmembers and ask them for their support in keeping our residents and police officers safe."<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district1 | News | district-1 | District 1 | Ann | O’Brien |
| Councilwoman O’Brien Calls for Purchase and Policy of Drones Following Friday’s Officer-involved Shooting | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/2236 | | City Council District 1 | 2/11/2022 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2236/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpg | | Councilwoman O’Brien Calls for Purchase and Policy of Drones Following Friday’s Officer-involved Shooting | <div class="ExternalClassF82F091197B34C28864AA91DDC5E0C34"><html>
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"Earlier this morning, five of our police officers were ambushed by a coward. This coward opened fire on our officers when they approached his doorstep to retrieve a helpless baby who had been barricaded inside. Five officers were shot and transported directly to the hospital where they are expected to live. The baby was saved unharmed and the individual who fired on our officers was apprehended.</p>
<p>Make no mistake, this was an attack on our officers and on the very system of safety and justice we all rely on. The time for action is now.</p>
<p>In order to aid in the situation, a drone was requested from Glendale. While we thank Glendale for allowing us to borrow their drone, it is unacceptable that the 5th largest city in the United States does not have the technology or capabilities to adequately protect our officers.</p>
<p>During our January Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee, a new drone policy for use in our Fire Department was brought forward. However, during discussion, one Committee Member voiced concerns about the potential of this pilot program to be expanded for our Police Department. The only way to move the drones forward for the Fire Department was if we agreed to separate the Police Department and bring them back for a separate vote at a separate time. That time is now!</p>
<p>I’m calling on my fellow councilmembers to join me in signing a memo asking the City Manager to add to the February 16th Formal Council Meeting agenda an item to purchase and develop a policy around drone usage for our Police Department.</p>
<p>Enough is enough. We need to protect our citizens, and we need to support the men and women in blue by providing them the tools necessary to keep us all safe."<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/district1 | News | district-1 | District 1 | Ann | O’Brien |
