Title
Summer Gun Violence Prevention Program Update
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee an update on the Phoenix Police Department's efforts in response to the rise of gun crimes.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
In response to the rising gun crimes occurring within the City of Phoenix, the Phoenix Police Department's Violent Crimes Bureau and the Patrol Division developed the Summer Gun Violence Program. This 90-day program focused on assaults and robberies involving guns with actionable follow-up. Based on the belief that most violent crimes are committed by a small fraction of our community, the goal of this program was to identify, locate, and apprehend violent offenders within our community as quickly and efficiently as possible. By targeting these offenders, we can reduce violent gun crimes in our community while seizing the guns used to commit these crimes. To focus on these specific crimes, 10 detectives from the Robbery Unit and the Assaults Unit were assigned to the five precincts with the highest levels of gun crime:
- South Mountain Precinct
- Desert Horizon Precinct
- Mountain View Precinct
- Maryvale/Estrella Mountain Precinct
- Cactus Park Precinct
The detectives were assigned to the precinct to work directly with the Neighborhood Enforcement Teams to develop probable cause and formulate a plan for apprehension. Additionally, the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit and imbedded Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Agents would assist in processing all guns and casings in hopes of linking them to additional incident to be used for prosecution. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office assisted by assigning specific attorneys to each precinct to focus on these cases. The Department has decided to extend the program until Nov. 1, 2022 while additional plans are developed to strategically address violent crime in our city.
Outcomes
Through the focus of this program, from July 1, 2022 through Oct. 2, 2022 there were 1,190 crime guns that were impounded citywide, an increase of 9.47 percent compared to the crime guns that were impounded during the same three months of 2021. There were also 1,114 citywide gun crime-related arrests, a decrease of .45 percent compared to the gun-related arrests during the same three months of 2021.
Next Steps
The program will be extended until Nov. 1, 2022 while additional plans are developed to strategically address violent crime in our city.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.