At the Holbrook City Council meeting on Dec. 12, Holbrook Police Chief Nathan Christensen presented the 2019 Holbrook Police Annual Report to the city council with a 2018 comparison.
According to the Christensen who was appointed Chief of Police in 2017 there has been an increase in the amount of crime reported over the last year compared to 2018. The total calls received this year has exceeded the 6,970 calls taken in 2018 by 2,240 for a total of 9,210 for 2019. The number of dispatched calls also increased from 1,762 in 2018 to 1,958 in 2019.
Christensen’s report showed that in 2018, 193 thefts were reported and this year that number increased to 252 and auto thefts increased from 15 to 21. Warrant arrests increased from 104 to 188, theft calls almost doubled going from 23 in 2018 to 45 in 2019 and there were 25 domestic violence calls in 2018, which increased to 39 in 2019. There was a slight decrease in disorderly conduct calls from 168 to 163.
Warnings issued by officers increased from 245 to 793 and citations increased from 257 to 376. In 2018, there were 10 DUI’s and in 2019 that increased to 27. Collisions increased slightly from 103 to 106 and those with damage decreased from 54 to 52. Injury accidents decreased from six to five. Private property damage increased from 43 to 49, and hit and run collisions increased from one in 2018 to 13 in 2019.
The number of graffiti crimes increased from five to 17. Adult arrests increased from 533 to 715 and juvenile arrests increased from 44 to 58. Sex offenses doubled from three to six and suicides increased from one to three. Assault with a firearm tripled from one to three.
Christensen noted that there were no arson incidents in 2018 but that there were three in 2019. When later asked regarding the Knights Inn and Magnusen fires ,and a trailer that was burned in 2018, he stated that those were listed under reckless burning even though the Knights Inn fire was lit in two different locations and no suspect identified.
Throughout 2018 Holbrook has also seen a large increase in the amount of graffiti on buildings mostly along the city’s mains streets. Christensen said that there were three major suspects and they have recently located all of them. Although one fled the state, they did apprehend one and were able to identify the third as a 10-year-old minor who has discontinued the vandalism since speaking with the police.
After the report, Councilman Adam Marsh asked the Christensen if there was an obvious reason for the climb in the overall number of incidences to which Christensen explained, “It’s more self-initiated activity from the officers. It’s more traffic stops, more business checks, it’s being out in the community more.”
Following Marsh’s question, Councilman Mark Jackson asked if the chief had any insight on why thefts and burglaries have increased to which Christensen responded, “Actually, I don’t know. It could just be the fact that it was reported different,” saying that if the correct changes aren’t made by the reporting officer, it could affect the reported numbers. Christensen also added, “But, if the economy goes down, you will see an increase in theft due to people shoplifting more, dining and dashing more, things of that nature. So that could be a factor as well.”
Christensen said that HPD is currently facing a shortage of officers but will be implementing some new training in 2020 to help increase the skillset of each officer to better equip them to handle a broader range of scenarios. “To combat that shortage, we are going to make some changes to the department next year, we are going to require that all officers receive training in crime scene processing, interviewing of suspects and search warrant preparation.”
Christensen also reminded the public to register their location as a surveilled property with HPD’s Community Eyes program. Christensen reiterated that the department would not be able to access cameras. By registering with Community Eyes, participants would simply be cutting out the footwork and decreasing the time taken by officers to find cameras in the areas and retrieve viable footage that could potentially help solve the crimes committed.
In other business, City Manager Ted Soltis gave a brief overview of things to come. Soltis reminded the public that beginning Jan 1. water/wastewater rates will increase by 2.6 percent. He also announced that due to the collapse of the recycling market, the city will be discontinuing recycling at the transfer station. Soltis also shared that he has been in contact with the owner of the Golden Inn, located at 2596 Navajo Blvd., who has stated he plans to fix the property and prepare it for sale.
Soltis also announced the revision of an agreement that was made between the City of Holbrook Administration and Reidhead Custom Farming, Inc. for the use of property at the city reuse located by the Hidden Cove Golf Course in exchange for the transport of the sludge from the water/wastewater facility on the west end property. Previously, the City of Holbrook and Reidhead agreed to a set of terms which Soltis felt needed to be revised. The revision which previously did not hold the Reidhead to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality standards now includes very specific guidelines for which Reidhead must comply. The agreement will also make Reidhead responsible for any damage by cattle.
Soltis explained that even after reaching out to Family Dollar to cover the graffiti on their east wall, they have had no success. Soltis said that a notice has been sent to the corporate office allowing them 30 days to act before the city covers it and bills them for the cost.
Soltis announced that there are currently seven bids for the airport runway project for which the city retrieved a grant to rebuild. Soltis said there will be no cost to the city. Updates will be given as they become available.
Holbrook Volunteer Fire Department Chief Phillip Rose presented a quote in amount of $39,387 to purchase 38 of the necessary 48 air cylinders that attach to and complete the self-contained breathing apparatus, which is a device worn by the emergency responders that provides oxygen. Rose stated that the last sets that were purchased was nearly 15 years ago and are approaching the end of their life expectancy. Rose explained that although they are in need of 48 because there is no additional funding in the department’s budget, they will be seeking a grant for the remaining 10 cylinders.
Also, in new business, Chief Christensen announced that the HPD has hired a new officer to fill a vacant position. Officer Joshua Tagler graduated from the Northeast Arizona Law Enforcement Training and will officially begin his first day on the job on Dec. 18. Another applicant has been offered the vacant position left when office Sergeant. Dave Hall retired this year, which he added looks “very promising.”
Christensen also shared that Sergeant Tony Sutton has been given a conditional offer by Arizona Department of Transportation and will likely be leaving the department by the end of the year. Because the regional trainings that come to the area are more cost effective, Christensen relayed that the applicant being considered to replace Sutton will wait until July of 2020 to attend when the training program that will take place in Snowflake.
Also, in other business, councilmembers thanked the chamber and volunteers for another year of holiday festivities and all their hard work on the Festival of Trees and Parade of Lights.
Mayor Merrill Young noted the absence of Councilman Tim Dixon. Mayor Young also offered his condolences to the family of Carlos Lovato who passed away earlier this month. Vice Mayor Payne offered condolences to the family of Harry Hancock of Winslow.
