By Jean Totten - One Day at a Time Safety and Security are topmost on the minds of many Sun Citians as evidenced by recent newspaper headlines, posts on NextDoor and posts on SC Facebook pages. At the October 11th, 2021 BOD meeting, "President Wilson announced that a Planning Session was being held immediately following the meeting. The session will be video recorded and open for attendance by any member who would like to stay but no one will be allowed to comment or ask questions. The two topics of discussion will be: 1. General Manager Bill Cook – Review of security options including FLOCK Security and Fire Security Electronics & Communications (FSEC). 2. General Manager Bill Cook – Status associated with the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) 5th Water Management Plan." I'm curious to know the status of the presentation; I don't recall hearing anything more regarding it. With the recent emphasis on Safety and Security, I'd like to see this on the agenda for the first "formal" BOD meeting in September.
Working together means safer Sun City community; MCSO, Posse encourage involvement Sun City residents continue to be concerned about safety in their community. Those concerns were addressed during a Coffee With the Commander meeting and the regular Posse general membership meeting. MCSO and Posse officials assured residents they have a strong partnership. But more can be accomplished with resident involvement. Capt. Brian Stutsman, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office District 3 commander, stressed that keeping a community safe and secure from crime is not just about law enforcement agencies. “A lot of the things we deal with are crimes of opportunity that can be prevented,” he said. “We all, meaning the residents also, have to look out for each other.” Mike Redman, MCSO District 3 community outreach officer, said the same frustrations experienced by residents are shared by MCSO personnel. Redman said MCSO has seen a drop in catalytic converter thefts in the community, mostly due to the drop in value of the precious metals in them. “We recently got a guy who had about 200 of them,” he said. Stutsman shared an incident where deputies questioned a man found sleeping in his car in the 10000 block of West Bell Road. The driver consented to a search of his vehicle and deputies found a stash of vehicle exhaust parts in the trunk. But there were no catalytic converters, and deputies mentioned this. “I already sold all those,” the driver blurted out. Residents are also concerned about homeless in the community. One resident shared that some were living in a vehicle parked along a Sun City street. Nearly all businesses in the strip malls between 105th and 108th avenues signed and filed trespass authorization forms with MCSO, according to Marc Fuller, Sun City Posse commander. “Hopefully, they will go anywhere but Sun City,” he said. “We are not pushing them into neighborhoods.” Youngtown officials beefed up their enforcement. In addition to contracting with MCSO for law enforcement services several years ago, they engaged private security firms and had license plate reader cameras installed throughout the town. Responding to a resident who talked about a men walking on the street in her neighborhood looking homeless and high on drugs, Redman said there was little law enforcement could do unless there was a crime in progress or there was probable cause to stop and questions the subject. “It is not a crime to be homeless or high in public,” he said. “If we are able to talk to or search them and find illegal drugs or paraphernalia on them, then we can do something.” He also encouraged residents to call MCSO if they see anything suspicious. “You are not annoying or pestering us,” he said. However, residents are encouraged to make those calls immediately upon seeing the suspicious act. “Coming up to us when you see us at lunch and saying, ‘You know, two weeks ago I saw...’” Stutsman said. “That does not help us at all.” While he could not share details, Redman told residents there were multiple drug investigations in Sun City and the surrounding areas. That includes raids on several suspected drug houses in the community. “It may seem like nothing is happening, but it takes time to build a case,” he said. In regards to traffic issues, Redman said that is not unique to Sun City. While MCSO is spread thin, there is a designated traffic officer the the Sun Cities and all other deputies are mandated to do traffic patrols during their down time while on shift, according to Redman. In addition, MCSO officials are trying to get more deputies on staff, he added. Kellar shared some crime stats during the Posse general meeting, and said all categories of crime are remaining steady with 2021 stats. The lone exception is fraud. He also said MCSO is receiving more calls from residents as they see things that are not quite right in their neighborhoods. “That is really helpful for us, especially in the summer,” he said. “That means we can get to it sooner rather than waiting until winter visitors come back and find their homes have been robbed.” Subscriber Exclusive; Sun City Independent, 7.11.2022 by Rusty Bradshaw From <https://yourvalley.net/sun-city-ind..._COPY_01)&mc_cid=bd3ae10627&mc_eid=8235f4c90a>
THANKS TO EYES OPEN FOR THIS POST: Neighborhood Watch Alive & Growing In Sun City Watching out for each other; Neighborhood Watch foundation of crime prevention Fighting crime is a joint effort for Sun City residents and it can start with a Neighborhood Watch group. That was the message Marc Fuller, Sun City Posse commander, had for residents who attended the agency’s June 13 Neighborhood Watch meeting. The gathering was the last for the 2021-22 season as winter visitors scatter to their other homes to beat the Arizona heat. The monthly meetings will resume in the fall. The Posse, which coordinates the Neighborhood Watch program in Sun City, merged the NW captains’ meetings into the single monthly gatherings earlier this year, and the switch appears to have been successful, with the first two drawing large crowds. With so many residents already gone for the summer, the June 13 meeting was more modest, but spirited. Some residents demanded to know what the Posse was doing or would do in specific circumstances of trespass and suspicious or criminal activity reported by residents. Katie Fontana, leading the meeting, and Dave Miller, Posse community liaison officer, tried to explain the Posse’s role was not as a law enforcement agency. “For anything that appears to be a criminal act, you need to call the Marcopa County Sheriff’s Office,” Miller said. “That includes trespassing.” He explained if the Posse is called they would do a drive-by to assess the situation and provide a deterring presence. If the situation appears to need further action, the Posse patrol would alert MCSO, he added. “We don’t want anyone shooting anyone — or shooting at all,” Fontana said in response to a resident who asked if he found someone sitting in his lawn chairs could he shoot them. However, residents can form Neighborhood Watch groups that can enhance crime prevention. A watch group is designed to have neighbors watching out for each other, getting to know each other and the routines of the neighborhood. “You are the ones who know best if something is not right in your neighborhood,” Fontana said. Watch groups are a way to tell criminals residents are not going to put up with their activities and that they need to find another place to go, according to Fuller. “We can each be a crime fighter by being organized and watching out for each other,” he said. Maria Ceosins, Posse Neighborhood Watch coordinator, said the three key words for watch groups are aware, prepare and practice. Be aware there is a problem, prepare by forming a Neighborhood Watch and practice what you need to do,” she said. Residents within a Neighborhood Watch group can get signs for windows in their home alerting criminals they are part of the group, signs can be placed in public view on light poles within the watch group area and group residents are encouraged to meet regularly to find out what is going on in the neighborhood. Fontana said Posse members will make presentations to any residents interested in forming a group. “We can make the presentation in one of your homes at any time of your convenience,” Miller said. Fontana shared some tips to help residents protect their property and themselves from criminal activity. These included keep doors on homes and vehicles locked, locking all windows in a home, keep the property well lit at night, turning off outside light during the day, installing motion sensors and cameras, do not leave valuables visible in vehicles, do not leave keys in a golf car, change the ignition to a specific key for golf cars, keep garage doors closed and doors from the garage to the home locked, inventory items in the home so they can be identified if stolen and recovered. She also said if walking in the community at night, always take a flashlight and a whistle. She also suggested resident view the YouTube video made by a Navy Seal about being safe during a home invasion. Visit youtube.com/watch?v=L84WvNsdU_M. Kenny Kovac, Sun City assistant fire marshal, was also on hand at the Neighborhood Watch meeting to explain the lock box and Vial of Life programs through the Sun City Fire and Medical Department. Lock boxes are attached to a home near the front door and contain a key to the home so emergency crews do not have to break in during cases when a resident cannot open the door. Only the fire department can open the boxes, Kovac explained. The Vial of Life is a prescription bottle kept in a resident’s refrigerator that includes identification and information about health issues so emergency crews know what they are dealing with in medical emergencies. ## Posted Wednesday, June 22, 2022 12:00 am By Rusty Bradshaw Mail | Twitter: @SunCitiesEditor Sun City Posse Headquarters 10861 W Sunland Dr. Sun City, AZ 85351 623.972.2555 Lobby Hours: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Call us by phone: 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM Sun City Posse Satellite Office 10415 Grand Ave. Sun City, AZ 85351 623.972.2555 Lobby Hours: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Call us by phone: 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM https://suncityposse.org
Sadly, shamefully, and inexcusably, RCSC technology cannot support Flock or much of any appropriate security in our community. This is what they have done: RCSC HIRES MCSO Overnight Security for Grand and Oakmont Centers RCSC Cardholders are advised that temporary security patrols are being employed overnight at both the Grand and Oakmont Centers to deter trespassing and other criminal activity that has reportedly happened at these locations. This temporary security will be conducted by a uniformed Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy hired by RCSC in an off-duty capacity. Both the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Sun City Posse have been notified about these security measures being taken by RCSC to ensure the safety of both Cardholders and staff members. REMEMBER - See something, say something. Any suspicious activity on RCSC properties should be reported to the MCSO non-emergency phone number at 602-876-1011. In addition, RCSC Cardholders are encouraged to also report such activity by submitting an RCSC Incident Report which can be found online at https://suncityaz.org/forms/ or obtained from any RCSC facility attendant on duty. Your assistance and involvement in reporting such activities will help to make Sun City AZ safer for all. https://mailchi.mp/368123b599d2/temporary-security-at-grand-oakmont-centers?e=f18f779945
Night hawks are out in Sun City Posse patrols help slow crime after dark The “Night Hawks” are out in Sun City, and they are making a difference. The Sun City Posse began experimenting with night patrols on a limited basis in November and since then the program, called the Nora Shift or Operation Night Hawk, has evolved. At the same time, the patrols are making a difference in cutting down crime and damage. While many may think of Sun City as rolling up the sidewalks when the son goes down, Marc Fuller, Sun City Posse commander, said just the opposite is true. “There is quite an active nightlife out there,” he said. “But it’s not the good kind.” After dark the community is alive with foot and bicycle traffic. While much of that activity is centered on the Grand Avenue corridor, it is evident in other areas of the community, according to David Jordan, Posse executive officer. “We got word that a catalitic converter was stolen from a vehicle at Marinette Center, and we’ve seen activity as far north as Beardsley Road,” he said. “And it goes as far south as Peoria Avenue.” Fuller said the night patrols were tried in November to see what they might look like and if they would be worth it. They were, and the shift now has patrols beginning after the night shift and extends into the hours before sunrise. Multiple vehicles and volunteers are out on each patrol. “We can see this is working because early on we would see close to 20 people out on a patrol,” Fuller explained. “On one of the most recent patrols, we encountered only two.” That is not to say the night activity in Sun City has halted. Far from it, according to Fuller. He explained Posse volunteers, who work closely with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office on the night patrols, have identified several houses that are being used for illegal drug sales. Fuller said there is a very active group using bicycles to distribute the drugs and the hub of their activity is at the intersection of Grand and North 103rd avenues. “The miscreants have owned the night,” he said. “Our aim is to take them out of their comfort zone.” Operation Night Hawk is designed to have a presence during the night hours that will make criminals think twice about committing their crimes in Sun City, according to Fuller. Because MCSO and the Posse operate on different radio frequencies, an MCSO deputy on patrol at the same time as the Posse Nora Shift, the deputy is given one of the Posse hand-held radios. “That way, it’s not a matter of seeing something and calling it in, the deputy can now hear what we see and respond quicker,” Fuller explained. Jordan believes the Posse night patrols can help give MCSO an understanding of what goes on in the community after dark and, hopefully, motivate a greater MCSO presence in the community. “I’ve been on every night patrol so far, and we’ve seen a lot of incidents,” Jordan said. “Hopefully this will lead to more proactive policing.” The Posse night patrols are also having an effect on other issues, like transients and homeless who camp on commercial properties and use some of their facilities without permission. Jordan said night patrols have found people using businesses’ outdoor electrical outlets to charge their cell phones. One business took action by covering their outlets. “We’re encouraging more of them to do this and other things to protect their property,” Fuller said. The Posse’s main mission is to provide patrols in the community and serve as the eyes and ears of MCSO, the law enforcement agency for the age-restricted community. The Posse is an all-volunteer organization that receives no government or grant funding. All its financial resources comes from community donations. The night patrols are just one new program the Posse initiated this year, designed to enhance safety in the community and improve communication between the Posse and Sun City residents, according to Fuller. Key among the new measures is the creation of two new positions — community liaison officer and media relations manager. “The community liaison officer will be the face-to-face person with the community and the point person for questions,” Fuller explained. The media relations manager will oversee all Posse social media platforms and traditional publications, according to Fuller. Another area of focus is the branch office in the Grand Center, 10415 W. Grand Ave. The office was established when the center was created two years ago to provide easier access to the Posse for residents south of Grand Ave., according to Fuller. The branch office is equipped to handle administrative processes, such as Vacation Watch, updating home information and answering questions residents may have. While aggressive patrolling, including the night patrols, are working out well, to maintain it the Posse needs more volunteers. The organization is slowly building back its ranks. At one time it had more than 200 members, the majority of which were patrol officers. In 2021 the Posse brought in 60 new members. “We now have about 75 patrol officers and 75 support personnel,” Jordan said. While 2021 was a banner recruiting year, the Posse continues to face attrition as some members get into their 80s and 90s. Illness and death continue to take a toll. “But we are getting younger members joining now,” Jordan said. ## By Rusty Bradshaw Mail | Twitter: @SunCitiesEditor Posted 6/3/22 Exclusive Sun City Independent online https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/night-hawks-are-out-in-sun-city,306220 Sun City Posse https://suncityposse.org/
Take a look at our MCSO District 3, the second largest district, to better understand the challenges of covering our 1600 square mile area with the most number of calls for service. They have partnered well with our Posse to serve our community and to engage residents to participate in crime prevention in our neighborhoods. Sure, more deputies would be great, too, Recruiting and funding are factors, just like any other law enforcement agency. District 3 ADDRESS:13063 W. Bell Road Surprise, AZ 85374 PHONE:(602) 876-1602 District Boundaries North: Yavapai County line South: Northern Avenue East: I-17 West: La Paz County line Covering 1600 square miles, District 3 is the second largest district with the most calls for service. The area comprises both rural farms and urban communities, including two large senior retirement communities, Sun City and Sun City West, for a combined population of over 60,000 residents. MCSO is the primary or backup law enforcement agency for these District 3 communities: Sun City and Sun City West The Town of Youngtown (contract municipality) Wittman Waddell Circle City Morristown Whispering Ranch Aguila Gladden Unincorporated areas surrounding Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise, El Mirage, and Wickenburg White Tanks Park Vulture Mountains Recreation area Personnel Captain: Brian Stutsman Lieutenants: 3 Sergeants: 14 Deputies: 60 Deputy Service Aides: 2 Administrative Staff: 2 https://www.mcso.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/1028/135
