The Winslow City Council met last week where the council heard from Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Chief Deputy Brian Swanty with a report on the accomplishments of the Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT) during 2021.
In his report, Swanty told the council that MCAT is made up of 11 participating agencies throughout Navajo County. Those include the NCSO, Winslow and Show Low police departments and federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Swanty went on to point out the large amounts of drugs seized in 2021, as well as in early 2022. “In 2021, MCAT seized just about 209,000 fentanyl pills. Already in 2022, we have seized over 600,000.”
According to Swanty, fentanyl continues to be a serious issue throughout Navajo County. “It’s almost an epidemic, I would say. We have had overdoses in young kids as young as 18 and all the way up.”
However, as Swanty pointed out, methamphetamine is also still a frequently seized substance. In 2021, MCAT took in over 820 pounds of methamphetamine. He noted that in May 2021, MCAT and other participating agencies including the Winslow Police Department conducted “Operation Clean Communities.” The operation yielded 14 arrests throughout the day.
Also in Winslow, he said, “MCAT detectives executed a residential search warrant in June 2021 in the 900 block of Kinsley Avenue which resulted in the seizure of 111 fentanyl pills, and stolen shotgun and drug paraphernalia. We know that because of the small amount of that substance that is used at a time, with 111 pills, that was an intent to sell. Three arrests were made in that search.”
Swanty informed those present that MCAT appreciates information from the public. “None of the tips that come in to us are thrown in the trashcan. We take each one of those very seriously and welcome them. However, it’s important to remember that those tips don’t usually result in a same day arrest. It takes time to build a case sometimes, and to investigate certain situations.”
During the call to the public, Winslow resident Judy Howell addressed the council. She implored the council to make improvements to the Winslow Animal Care Facility. She mentioned a lack of staffing and the need for a spay and neuter program in the city.
The council, with all members present held two consecutive executive sessions with no public discussion or action to follow. The executive sessions dealt with legal consultation for the purchase, sale or lease of real property and regarding the use of development incentives and potential acquisition of land for economic development purposes and council duties and authority.
In other business, the council:
* Proclaimed April 10-16 as Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
* Proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
* Heard a status report from City Manager John Barkley. In his report, Barkley mentioned two free days at the Transfer Station for Winslow residents on April 22 and 23.
* Vice Mayor Samantha Crisp mentioned the Mother Road Farmer’s Market will return at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, and run each Saturday through the summer months.
* Heard a quarterly report from Judge BJ Little in which he mentioned there have been 128 initial appearances in the justice court during the time of January through March.
* Heard a quarterly report from Old Trails Museum Director Ann-Mary Lutzick in which she announced the High Desert Fly In would make a return this year on Sept. 17 at the Winslow Lindbergh Regional Airport.
* Heard the finance report for the month of February. Citywide revenues for the month were $1.5 million bringing the year-to-date total to $12.6 million. Citywide expenditures were $1.3 million bringing the year-to-date total to $12 million.
* Reappointed Ken Evans, Michelle Pennington and Heather Pruett to the Board of Adjustment until April 30, 2025.
* Approved a liquor license application for permanent extension of premises for Old Town Grill, located at 108 East Second Street.
* Approved a liquor license application for permanent extension of premises for the Turquoise Room, located at 305 E. Second St.
* Approved a permit for encroachment a residence located at 169 Maricopa Drive for construction of a four-foot chain link fence.
* Accepted a grant from the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group of nearly $1.3 million for pavement preservation at the Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport. The grant requires a $127,500 contribution from the City of Winslow.
The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, in the Hubbell Building, located at 524 W. Second St.
