May

14

Maricopa PD recieves DUI enforcement grant

Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Maricopa, AZ–On May 11, 2009, at approximately 9:23 p.m., a passenger car, driven by an intoxicated subject, was traveling through the intersection of Smith-Enke and State Road 347 when it ran the red light and collided with the driverā€™s door of the other vehicle.

A 60-year old Maricopa resident would later die from injuries she suffered during the collision. It was determined that the other subject was operating his vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of almost three times the legal limit. As a result, this subject was charged with Aggravated DUI and Manslaughter.

This tragic incident shows the extent of the dangers which surrounds operation of a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI). In 2008, there were 6,757 alcohol-related vehicle crashes across the state. More than 4,700 people were injured and 324 people were killed.

These figures do not include the over $521 million in property damages associated with alcohol-related crashes. That number sky rockets when emergency personnel and equipment costs, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the emotional anguish over injury and loss of loved ones are added.

The Maricopa Police Department has been and will continue to be committed to a high level of traffic enforcement and driver education as an effective way to take impaired drivers off the streets of Maricopa. Drivers that disobey traffic laws are a hazard to everyone else on the road. This past year, the Maricopa Police Department made 249 DUI arrests and issued over 3,100 citations for other major moving violations, such as speeding and red light violations.

The Maricopa Police Department was recently awarded a grant from the Governorā€™s Office of Highway Safety for $30,000 to do additional DUI enforcement within the City of Maricopa. The Maricopa Police Department will remain proactive, professional and progressive as we enforce Arizona traffic laws and strive for safer streets in the City of Maricopa.

May

6

Maricopa police arrest man on several counts of domestic violence

Filed Under City News | Leave a Comment

Maricopa, AZ–On May 6, 2010 at about 3:30 am, Maricopa police officers responded to a report of unknown trouble in the 20000 block of north Alexis. Upon arrival they contacted a female victim who advised that she had been involved in a domestic violence incident a short time earlier at her residence in the Palo Brea subdivision. An investigation was begun and the injured victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Officers then responded to the 16000 block of north Palo Verde where they made contact with a male subject. The subject, who refused to cooperate with police, retreated into the residence. Information was received at the time of the investigation that the male subject had possible access to a firearm inside the residence. Police immediately began negotiations with the subject. At around 0800 hours the officers were able to convince the subject to exit the residence where he was placed into custody without further incident.

No officers were injured during the course of the investigation. The male subject, identified as Justin Watson (27) of Maricopa, was treated by the Maricopa Fire Department for a minor injury and later booked at the Pinal County jail on several counts of domestic violence.

May

3

Maricopa PD helps out with Special Olympics

Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Maricopa, AZ–On April 30, 2010 members of the Maricopa Police Department participated in the Special Olympics Torch Run. MPD had a 12 mile stretch of road from SR 347 and Maricopa/Casa Grande Hwy. east to the Frito Lay plant where the Special Olympics torch was then passed on to Casa Grande PD.Ā  Ten members of the department, from all ranks as well as MPD volunteers and Police Youth Explorers, participated in the event.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a series of intra-state/intra-nation runs that take place in the spring and summer in the United States and around the world. Law enforcement personnel carry the Special Olympics Torch for a common cause which takes them through blizzards in Alaska, the mists of England, the islands of the Caribbean, the endless farmland of Illinois, and the deserts of Arizona, to bring the Torch to the Opening Ceremonies of our state or nationā€™s Special Olympics Summer Games. The common goal is to raise money to support Special Olympics athletes, as well as help dispel the myths surrounding the capabilities of people with disabilities.

The Maricopa Police Department was honored to be able to be involved in such a worthy cause.

For more information about the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics:Ā  http://www.arizonatorchrun.com/aboutus/main.asp?menuid=2