Contributed by: Officer Timothy Mitten
Community Action Officer
Black Mountain Precinct
Phoenix Police Department
In this brief article I have attached the crime stats for the Desert Ridge area. It contains Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) statistics as compiled by our Crime Analysis Unit. The Phoenix Police Department reports our official statistics to the Federal government according to the Uniform Reporting Criteria (UCR) which are not equivalent to Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) statistics or another other types. Under the hierarchy rule of UCR, only the most severe offense of an incident is counted, so if there is a Homicide after a Burglary, only the Homicide is counted. There are 4 Part One Violent Crimes that are counted and they are Homicide, Rape, Robbery and Aggravated Assault (counted individually by victim). There are 4 Part One Property Crimes that are counted and they are Stolen Vehicles, Arson, Theft, and Burglary (which includes residential, commercial and burglary from vehicles).
The statistics shown for the Desert Ridge community as a whole includes the Desert Ridge Marketplace, High Street, JW Marriott Resort and all of the commercial properties in the area. It is a grid system defined as Pinnacle Peak Road south to the 101 Freeway, 56th Street west to Black Mountain Boulivard / 36th Street.
The other set of statistics is for the Off Duty Police Patrol Program area of Desert Ridge. This program does not cover the entire community, it excludes Aviano (who has their own patrols), Desert Ridge Marketplace, High Street, commercial properties and the JW Marriott Resort. This program began in December of 2011 and while we have had success in reducing the crime in the area, it is important to not feel like the job is done. Crime is very cyclical in nature and it includes many factors but a strong working community partnership between Desert Ridge and the Phoenix Police Department will continue to pay dividends in a safer community.
These statistics are not accomplished just by the Police Department; this is your accomplishment as well. You are aware and call in suspicious activity, practice good crime prevention strategies and form Block Watches. All of this together along with the efforts of on and off duty personnel are what make improvements like this occur. You should thank yourselves for a job well done. Keep up the good work on your end and we will do our best and together we will continue to make the Desert Ridge Community a safe place to be.
If anybody has any questions about these statistics or on any other matter, please contact me at 602-495-5238 or at tim.mitten@phoenix.gov. Thank you for your support in partnering with the Phoenix Police Department to improve the safety and quality of life in your neighborhood.
