Maryvale residents credit gated-alley pilot with reducing crime, urge continued funding

Residents who participated in a gated‑alley pilot in District 5 told city leaders the program has reduced illegal dumping, trespass and alley fires and urged continued city funding to expand the program.

"The gates have made a real difference. Our alleys are no longer illegal dumping grounds, and the gates help to deter criminal activity," said Linda Blackford, a resident and block‑watch volunteer who described her neighborhood’s experience in the pilot. Several other speakers described fewer break‑ins and cleaner alleys after gates were installed. One long‑time resident said gated alleys reduced homelessness in his block and cut repeat property‑crime incidents.

Councilwoman Betty Guardado and residents gave numbers during testimony that differ in scale: Guardado listed "267 gated alleys in District 5" as part of district investments in her opening remarks, while other speakers celebrated a broader goal of expanding to many more blocks and referred to "a thousand gates" in aspirational terms. Speakers urged city staff to keep the program funded, said block‑watch leaders have organized petitions to add gates and asked neighbors to help gather signatures.

Firefighters and first responders who spoke at the hearing also supported the alleys, saying gates cut the number of fires spreading from alley encampments into homes. The hearing did not include a council vote on additional funding; speakers asked council members to retain and expand program support in the upcoming budget.

Ending: Residents urged council and budget staff to prioritize continued funding for the gated‑alley program in District 5 and to make it easier for neighborhoods to petition for gates; no formal funding action occurred during the hearing.