Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
El Mirage residents urge police action on commercial-grade fireworks and report dead animal pickup during public comment
Summary
At the March 18 meeting residents asked the council to increase enforcement of commercial-grade fireworks and described a recent incident where police responded to a call about a deceased dog; a caller also praised several council members for transparency and attendance at local events was discussed.
Residents used the council’s call to the public on March 18 to raise neighborhood concerns about commercial-grade fireworks and to report a recent animal-removal incident.
Jeff Lock, a 24-year resident who gave his address as 12411 West Berry Lane, told the council landscapers found a deceased dog under a bush in front of a property on Bridal. Lock said the property manager called county and city lines; when initial county lines did not answer, the manager called the police nonemergency line and received a response within minutes. “They got with her in, like, two minutes and said that he would send somebody out, and they did,” Lock said.
Lock also asked the council to consider stepped-up enforcement around holidays for commercial-grade fireworks and “air rockets,” saying those devices are noisy and repeatedly used in some neighborhoods. He asked whether the police department could increase patrols and issue warnings or citations when the devices are used repeatedly.
Steve Gilliam, an El Mirage resident of about 20 years, commented on attendance at recent city events. Gilliam said he appreciated the city’s free events, but encouraged more community participation and offered to work with staff on park arrangements and how the sound system is positioned. He said he prefers being able to see and address people directly rather than speaking to the backs of people in front of him.
A caller identifying himself as Ricardo Rodriguez, calling from Surprise, thanked Vice Mayor Parsons, Council Member Eldridge and Council Member Gentry for what he described as their support for transparency for El Mirage residents.
No formal council action followed the public comments during the meeting; the mayor and council may later direct staff to follow up on issues raised during calls to the public.
