SE Valley Times

The latest numbers from the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) indicate a nearly 14% reduction in crime in Tempe. Property crimes specifically decreased by nearly 19%. NIBRS serves as the national standard for law enforcement crime data reporting in the United States.

Tempe residents ranked community safety as a top concern in the 2023 Community Survey. Consequently, Tempe leadership prioritized safer streets, neighborhood policing, and proactive enforcement.

Elected Tempe City Council members will be sworn in at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 1, during a special ceremony. Mayor Corey Woods, Councilmember Doreen Garlid, Councilmember Randy Keating, and Councilmember-Elect Nikki Amberg will take the oath of office to serve four-year terms.

Councilmember Joel Navarro's final meeting as a member of the Tempe City Council is scheduled for Thursday, June 27. Navarro has served Tempe for 16 years and has been an advocate for live music and reducing opioid abuse among other initiatives. His accomplishments include enhancing police and fire departments' public safety measures, initiating neighborhood improvement programs, expanding parks and recreational facilities, and supporting wastewater testing to monitor opioid use.

“A Dream of Tempe,” located at Mitchell Park, was recently upgraded with new ceramic tiles by artist Rebecca Ross. The artwork consists of a standpipe wrapped in a mosaic depicting Tempe's natural landscape and was originally installed in 2015.

Tempe has been named a Top Meeting Destination in North America by Cvent. The city ranked 45th on the list which evaluates cities engaging event planners effectively. Last year’s tourism activities brought over $1 billion in economic impact to Tempe.

Residents are encouraged to enjoy nighttime excursions at Kiwanis Park or Tempe Town Lake due to daytime summer heat. Arizona Storytellers events continue to foster community connections through first-person tales curated since 2012 by Republic journalists and South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute coaches.

As Independence Day approaches, residents are reminded that certain fireworks can negatively affect veterans, autistic individuals, people with asthma, pets, birds, and animals due to their sound and smoke. Legal consumer fireworks are permitted through July 6 under Arizona State law; however not all fireworks sold are legal for use within city limits.

Today marks the last day for donations to a citywide water drive organized by the Tempe Starbucks community aimed at aiding homeless outreach efforts by providing cold bottled water as an initial engagement tool.

The Business Excellence Awards winners were announced by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce:

- Large Business of the Year: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

- Small Business of the Year: Hundred Mile Brewing

- Micro Business of the Year: The PEAK Fleet

- Nonprofit of the Year: Lost Our Home Pet Rescue

- Doing Well & Doing Service: Raveen Aurora

- President's Award: Vic Linoff

- Volunteer of the Year Award: Wendy Bates

- Spirit of Tempe Award: Gary Johnson

- Outstanding Community Leadership: Roseline Cristanelli

Job opportunities are available within various departments including Kid Zone afterschool program and positions in Sustainability, Planning, Police among others.

Last Thursday saw more than 25 participants join Escalante Pool's involvement in "World’s Largest Swim Lesson," emphasizing swimming education's importance globally.

Upcoming Events:

- "Tempe Time Machine" at Tempe History Museum on June 26.

- Free yoga class at Ken McDonald Golf Course on June 28.

- Regular meeting at Tempe City Council Chambers on June 27.

- Summer Splash event at Tempe Marketplace on June 29.

Comedian Earthquake will perform five shows from June 28 -30 at Tempe Improv.

Don Carlos Awards nominations close on June 30 for recognizing exemplary volunteers and humanitarians.

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