Council Questions

City of El Mirage — Regular Meeting (2025-05-06)

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Arizona State University AZ-VDRS 
1. Why the item is necessary: Provide a concise explanation of the issue or opportunity 
the item addresses and why it is essential to act. 
The Arizona Violent Death Reporting System AZ-VDRS data is intended for use by the 
communities and interested parties within Arizona, working on solutions for 
homicides and suicides through local and/or statewide efforts.  
 
2. How the item benefits the City: Summarize the positive outcomes or improvements 
the item will bring to City operations, services, or long-term strategic goals. 
The AZ-VDRS gives the City of El Mirage an opportunity to participate along with over 
three-dozen other law enforcement agencies, including Phoenix, Glendale, Tucson, 
Flagstaff, Mesa, and Kingman.  
 
3. How it impacts residents: Highlight the direct or indirect effects on the community, 
focusing on how residents will experience changes or improvements. 
From 2015 through 2019, Arizona saw more than 8,500 homicides and suicides, 
specifically, there were 6,700 suicides, 1,900 homicides and another 830 violent 
deaths of undetermined manner. The impact of these thousands of violent deaths 
affects us all. Even if our community has not been personally touched by such a 
tragedy, the social costs to that community, the burden on law enforcement and the 
criminal justice system, and the overall quality of life for Arizona residents are 
adversely impacted by homicides and suicides in our communities.  
 
4. Statutory requirements or Code provisions involved: Please note any legal 
mandates, compliance requirements, or policy guidelines that require this item. 
The El Mirage Police Department’s Records personnel will provide police reports to 
ASU for inclusion in the research project.  
 
5. Why the item is critical or time-sensitive: Provide reasoning for the urgency, 
including deadlines, funding opportunities, or alignment with strategic priorities.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded ASU the Center for 
Violence Prevention and Community Safety (CVPCS) grant to collect data and 
disseminate the findings in the AZ-VDRS system. ASU is offering the City of El Mirage 
Police Department a 10-year extension to the agreement in place since 4/30/2020.