The community has heard the Chief and I frequently talk about the surge in murders that began in March 2020 and continued through 2022.

At the start of our 2021 term, we arrived at the Pima County Attorney’s Office and were confronted with a backlog of 144 murders dating back to 2017 that desperately needed a solution. In the months that followed, 116 more murders in 2021 put pressure on local security. PCAO employees are at their limit.

We all recognize that too many families in Tucson and Pima counties are being adversely affected and reducing violent crime must be a top priority for our communities and local governments. I was.

Beyond a major reorganization and focus on prosecuting violent crimes, the PCAO restarted a deliberative body of county attorneys and senior prosecutors called the Homicide Commission. We increased the frequency of our panel meetings, meeting every Monday to listen to presentations that helped solve murders.

To combat the rise in violent crime, particularly the worrying rise in homicides, the Mayor and City Council, in partnership with the Tucson Police Department (TPD), adopted an evidence-based approach to resource allocation. This strategy includes a combination of proactive techniques such as problem-oriented precision policing (POPP) and place network surveys (PNI) in high-crime areas with historical concentrations of violent gun crime. will be covered.

As a result, the number of homicides has decreased by 30% from last year to this year. From two years ago to now, the number of homicides has decreased by 37%. These regional trends outpaced the national homicide decline, with the City of Phoenix showing a 10% decline, far ahead of the decline in Arizona.

Detailed review: TPD has greatly enhanced its investigative capabilities to deal with crimes quickly and effectively. Adopting a tactical investigative model for immediate assistance after a crime such as murder, actively engaging the Criminal Gun Intelligence Division, pursuing Criminal Gun Intelligence Center status, and launching a second National Integrated Ballistics Intelligence Network (NIBIN). measures such as additions. The machine has contributed to remarkable achievements.

These efforts, along with additional agency resources, have resulted in a staggering 80% annual homicide resolution rate, well above the national average. The PCAO distributed 18,463 gun locks last year through evening and weekend community outreach activities, and the TPD has removed more than 1,300 guns from city streets to date.

Perhaps most attractively, the weekly homicide panel, which became a very difficult burden in terms of time and money, led to the creation of weekly “think tanks” where the brightest prosecutors and the most experienced homicide detectives were recruited. Gathering and discussing in organic information sessions. and analyze the patterns of violent crime in our county.

Our track record reflects our steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our communities through targeted and effective responses to violent crime, while seeking justice for victims.

The conclusion is clear to everyone. Collaboration works.

The Pima County Attorney’s Office continues to show that a subway connection is possible and optimal. The reduction in homicide rates is due to the great number of people, including mayors and legislatures, county executive and oversight boards, public health officials, sheriffs, local police chiefs, and people’s departments working together to solve cases and identify people. is believed to be due to the contribution of We understand needs and strive to prevent them.

We are energized by our progress. Rest assured, we will roll up our sleeves and do more.