PHOENIX — Lowering crime and making your neighborhood a better place to live is the goal of the annual crime reduction plan unveiled by Phoenix police on Tuesday.
Fentanyl abuse and teen violence are front and center of the plan.
"We are losing far too many of our young people to gun violence and the effects of the fentanyl epidemic on our community have been immense," said Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: La policía de Phoenix crea un 'escuadrón veraniego' para reprimir las fiestas ruidosas
Phoenix police stated the following five goals of the plan:
- Reduce crime
- Increase arrests related to fentanyl
- Reduce juvenile violent crime
- Increase use of technology to fight crime
- Reduce fatal and serious injury crashes
Department officials said they are creating a special squad which will focus on responding to rowdy parties.
“This summer we are staffing a summer squad to deal with party calls which primarily deal with juveniles,” said Ed DeCastro, assistant chief for the Phoenix Police Department. "So we can try to get ahead of that curve and prevent some of the shootings, or prevent some of the issues that we’re seeing before they even start."
Last May, a 17-year-old high school student was fatally shot at the scene of a house party in Phoenix.
The department aims to reduce violent crimes by 5% and property crimes by 8% percent, increase fentanyl and methamphetamine arrests by at least 3% and reduce the juvenile violent crime rate by 5%.
“We’re getting with our school resource officers, so that they can start talking to the kids while they’re in school,” DeCastro said.
In addition, they plan to reach out to community groups to talk about youth violence.
“The combination of the parents and the kids themselves is the trick,” said DeCastro. “You can’t talk to just one or the other.”
According to the department, last year's approach led to a 4% decrease in violent crimes and a 13% decrease in property crimes compared to 2022. Homicides and robberies were also down by over 10% each.
Data reportedly showed a massive increase in juveniles committing violent crimes, necessitating a more focused approach.
Additionally, the department reported that they aim to increase arrests for the sale and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine by at least 3%.
Finally, police will be ramping up the existing speed enforcement program that took effect back in May. Drivers can expect more enforcement of speed limits on Phoenix roadways.
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