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Consideration of Citizen Petition by Estela Varela Related to Community Safety -
Citywide

This report provides the City Council with information in response to a citizen petition
submitted by Estela Varela at the June 4, 2025, Formal City Council meeting,
requesting the Mayor and Council's adoption of a resolution that encompasses 10
policy and administrative items related to community safety. The petitioner's request
was extensive and mentions multiple City departments and functions including the
Phoenix Police Department, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Law
Department, and the Office of Accountability and Transparency. The items are detailed
in the citizen petition on Attachment A.

Summary
The petitioner requests the City Council adopt the resolution that directs or establishes
the following:
1. The Police Department implement cite and release practices for all non-violent
offenses, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
2. The Police Department end traffic stops that have historically been used as a
pretext for searches and seizures, including, but not limited to, stops based solely
on equipment violations or other non-moving-related violations, unless such
violations pose an immediate and demonstrable threat to public safety.
3. The Police and Parks and Recreation departments end stops for quality of life
offenses, including, but not limited to, sleeping at a bus stop, public urination, and
manifestation. If a response is requested, the City will dispatch service providers
that will not result in criminalization.
4. The Police Department end the use of sanctioned and unsanctioned arrest, citation,
and stops quotas, including the use of discipline if an officer has a reduced number
of stops, citations, or arrests.
5. To not use General Fund dollars to carry out immigration enforcement.
6. To collect and publicly report comprehensive data from the Police Department on all
traffic stops, pedestrian stops, arrests, and citations, disaggregated by race,
ethnicity, age, gender, reason for the stop, and outcome of the stop.
7. To have the City Manager, with the Office of Accountability and Transparency,
develop and implement a community feedback system, so the community can
provide feedback on these policies and police interactions.

8. The City Attorney to review existing City ordinances and policies to ensure
consistency with this resolution and to recommend any necessary revisions to
ensure alignment with the resolution.
9. The City Attorney to identify all municipal codes, criminal and civil, that punish
residents beyond the extent required by Arizona Revised Statutes, and present
those codes within 90 days of this resolution taking effect so City Council can vote
to remove them.
10.The resolution to take effect immediately upon adoption.

The City of Phoenix is committed to providing public safety that is equitable,
transparent and responsive to the diverse needs of the community. With direction from
the Phoenix City Council and community input, the City of Phoenix has implemented a
comprehensive effort to improve public safety. In September 2024, the Mayor and City
Council took action to approve a series of staff recommendations and formal action
items as well as Council-directed enhancements within the Police Department, the Fire
Department's Community Assistance Program, the Office of Homelessness Solutions
and the Office of Accountability and Transparency. These public safety improvement
efforts, along with existing department policies and operations, already address many
of the items within the petitioner's resolution.

Examples of these public safety improvement efforts include:
· Continued the expansion of the Community Assistance Program (CAP), which was
a $15 million investment made by the Mayor and City Council. As of March 30,
2025, CAP has established dispatch coverage 24/7 as directed by the Council.
· After receiving public feedback, in February 2025, the Police Department
implemented a new use of force policy, which states officers "shall use only the
force that is objectively reasonable, necessary, and proportional to effectively and
safely resolve an incident." The new policy requires all use of force encounters to
be reported, which increases the standards for reporting to provide a better
understanding in making future policy and training decisions.
· Implemented a continuous improvement framework with ongoing data collection
and policy improvements based on national best practices. This framework includes
a process of public engagement and feedback on major policy revisions, such as
the Youth Interactions policy currently in development. As of June 3, 2025, over
2,000 responses have been received to the youth interaction survey, which will be
incorporated into the policy draft that will be released for further public comment.
· Office of Accountability and Transparency and Phoenix Police Department have
implemented an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure a
seamless working relationship in facilitating accountability.
· Approved the conversion of 14 temporary positions within the Office of Homeless

Solutions (OHS) to permanent positions to continue OHS's work in the community
in connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with resources and services.
· With leadership from Mayor and City Council, the Phoenix Community Court
launched in 2024 to provide an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system
to empower, assist, and provide unsheltered individuals with the tools and
resources necessary to establish stable housing, receive services to assist with any
addiction issues, connect with mental health professionals, and reduce repetitive
criminal behavior.
· Implementation of a new Records Management System (RMS) in progress and
expected to be completed later this year. This system will allow for improved data
collection and reporting, both internally and to the public.

Staff provides a comprehensive update on all public safety improvement efforts each
quarter. The most recent presentations to the Mayor and City Council occurred on
December 10, 2024, and April 15, 2025. Information about these updates is also
provided to the Civilian Review Board.

With consideration of the comprehensive ongoing public safety improvement efforts
already approved by Mayor and City Council and being implemented by City staff, staff
recommends the City Council deny the citizen petition. The citizen petition, as
presented, is complex and extensive in scope, contains items already in place or in
progress as noted above which do not require additional Council action, recommends
sweeping policy changes that differ from recent City Council direction, creates
potential conflicts with state law, and requires extensive research and vetting regarding
the potential implications of such changes. Additionally, the petition was presented in
the form of a formal resolution, which does not adhere to the intended purpose and
process for citizen petitions. Petitions submitted in this manner are improper. Formal
resolutions for consideration by the Mayor and City Council should be written by City
staff and appropriately vetted by the City's Law Department after appropriate policy
discussion and direction.

Responsible Department
This item is submitted by the City Manager's Office.

Attachment A

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CITIZEN'S PETITION • ' ; L!...:::_:'"'. 1\ !J:Ji-· T
ZllZ5 JUN -l• PLt
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHOENrx, r S: 53
ARIZONA, FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES: COMMUNITY SAFETY FOR ALL

WHEREAS, the City of Phoenix is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all its
residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender identity, mental health or
housing status; and

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Justice, following a comprehensive investigation,
announced findings that the Phoenix Police Department and the City of Phoenix engage in a
pattern or practice of conduct that violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law, including but
not limited to, excessive force, unlawful treatment of people experiencing homelessness,
discriminatory enforcement against Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals, violations
of protected speech, and discrimination against people with mental health conditions.

WHEREAS, racial profiling by law enforcement has devastating consequences for individuals,
families, and communities, including but not limited to, wrongful arrests, incarceration,
deportation, job loss, housing instability, and separation from loved ones; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Kate Gallego's Review and Implementation Ad Hoc Committee
recommended on September 1, 2020:
1) Implement the aspect of CPTI (Community Police Trust Initiative) recommendation 2 to
seek "least harm" for minor infractions and recommendation 4 for building community
trust through Mayor and Council actions in:
a) A review of all policies regarding Phoenix PD updating those policies that
prioritize least harm options of enforcement in all situations, including but not
limited to:
i) Prioritizing "cite and release" options over "arrest and send to the
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office,"
ii) interactions with federal immigration authorities,
iii) adding a requirement to report the time in which a stop begins and ends
where there is an attempt to contact Immigration & Customs Enforcement
(ICE).
2) Publishing on the Phoenix PD website such policies regarding interactions with federal
immigration authorities as well as contracts the City enters where officers may interact
with federal immigration authorities.
3) A review of City ordinances that result in minor infractions, imply criminal penalty, and
are enforced with penalties (i.e. accessing light rail platforms, manifestation laws).

WHEREAS, the City of Phoenix recognizes the importance of fostering public safety for all and
the protection of civil rights; and

WHEREAS, the City of Phoenix desires to create a more just, equitable, and transparent city;
and
WHEREAS, there is a need to address concerns regarding disproportionate enforcement of
certain laws and ordinances, which can lead to discriminatory outcomes and perpetuate cycles
of poverty and instability; and

WHEREAS, the City of Phoenix desires to end racial disparities in interactions between law
enforcement and the public; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA, as follows:

SECTION 1: The Phoenix Police Department is hereby directed to implement cite and release
practices for all non-violent offenses, to the fullest extent allowed by law.

SECTION 2: The Phoenix Police Department is hereby directed to end traffic stops that have
historically been used as a pretext for searches and seizures, including, but not limited to, stops
based solely on equipment violations or other non-moving-related violations, unless such
violations pose an immediate and demonstrable threat to public safety.

SECTION 3: The Phoenix Police Department and Parks and Recreation Department are hereby
directed to end stops for quality of life offenses, including, but not limited to, sleeping at a bus
stop, public urination, and manifestation. If a response is requested, the City will dispatch
service providers that will not result in criminalization.

SECTION 4: The Phoenix Police Department is hereby directed to end the use of sanctioned
and unsanctioned arrest, citation, and stops quotas, including the use of discipline if an officer
has a reduced number of stops, citations, or arrests.

SECTION 5: The Phoenix Police Department shall not use General Fund dollars to carry out
immigration enforcement.

SECTION 6: The Phoenix Police Department shall collect and publicly report comprehensive
data on all traffic stops, pedestrian stops, arrests, and citations, disaggregated by race, ethnicity,
age, gender, reason for the stop, and outcome of the stop. This data shall be made readily
accessible to the public, including by posting it online and updated monthly, and shall be used to
assess the effectiveness of these policies and identify any disparities in enforcement. The data
collected shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1. The race and ethnicity of the individual stopped;
2. The age and gender of the individual stopped;
3. The stated reason for the stop;
4. The outcome of the stop (e.g., warning, citation, arrest);
5. The location, time, and length of the stop,

6. If a search was conducted:
a. The justification and results of the search, including whether the search turned up
contraband.
b. If consent was given for the search, whether such consent was given voluntarily.
7. If the stop was extended beyond the initial reason for the stop, the specific reason for the
extension (e.g., DUI investigation, language barrier, training stop, etc.)

SECTION 7: The City Manager, in conjunction with the Office of Accountability and
Transparency, shall develop and implement a community feedback system, so the community
can provide feedback on these policies and police interactions.

SECTION 8: The City Attorney is directed to review existing city ordinances and policies to
ensure consistency with this resolution and to recommend any necessary revisions to ensure
alignment with the resolution.

SECTION 9: The City Attorney is directed to identify all municipal codes, criminal and civil, that
punish residents beyond the extent required by Arizona Revised Statutes, and present those
codes within 90 days of this resolution taking effect so City Council can vote to remove them.

SECTION 10: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

PETICION DE LOS CIUDADANOS

RESOLUCION DEL ALCALDE Y DEL AYUNTAMIENTO DE LA CIUDAD DE PHOENIX,
ARIZONA, PARA COMUNIDADES PROSPERAS: SEGURIDAD COMUNITARIA PARA TODOS

CONSIDERANDO QUE la ciudad de Phoenix se compromete a garantizar la seguridad y el
bienestar de todos sus residentes, independientemente de su raza, origen etnico, estatus
migratorio, identidad de genera, salud mental o situacion de vivienda; y

CONSIDERANDO QUE, tras una investigacion exhaustiva, el Departamento de Justicia de los
Estados Unidos anuncio sus conclusiones de que el Departamento de Policia de Phoenix y la
ciudad de Phoenix incurren en un patron o practica de conducta que viola la Constitucion de los
Estados Unidos y la legislacion federal, incluyendo, entre otros, el uso excesivo de la fuerza, el
trato ilegal a las personas sin hogar, la aplicacion discriminatoria de la ley contra personas
negras, hispanas y nativas americanas, las violaciones de la libertad de expresion protegida y
la discriminacion contra personas con trastornos mentales.

CONSIDERANDO que la discriminacion racial por parte de las fuerzas del orden tiene
consecuencias devastadoras para las personas, las familias y las comunidades, incluyendo,
entre otras, detenciones injustificadas, encarcelamiento, deportacion, perdida del empleo,
inestabilidad en la vivienda y separacion de los seres queridos; y
\-0.d \tc;x_
#CONSIDERANDO QUE, el Comite Ad Hoc de Revision e lmplementacion de la alcaldesa Kate
Gallego recomendo el 1 de septiembre de 2020:

1) lmplementar el aspecto de la recomendacion 2 de la CPTI (lniciativa de Confianza en la
Policfa Comunitaria) para buscar el «menor dafio» en infracciones menores y la
recomendacion 4 para fomentar la confianza de la c?munidad a traves de las acciones
del alcalde y el consejo en:

a) Una revision de todas las polfticas relativas al Departamento de Policia de
Phoenix, actualizando aquellas politicas que priorizan las opciones de aplicacion
de la ley que causen el menor dario posible en todas las situaciones, incluyendo,
entre otras:

i) Dar prioridad a las opciones de «citar y liberar» frente a «detener y enviar
a la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Maricopa»,

ii) interacciones con las autoridades federales de inmigracion,

iii) Afiadir el requisite de informar de la hora en que comienza y termina una
detencion cuando se intenta contactar con el Servicio de lnmigracion y
Control de Aduanas (ICE).

2) Publicar en el sitio web del Departamento de Policia de Phoenix las pol[ticas relativas a
las interacciones con las autoridades federales de inmigraci6n, as[ como los contratos
que celebra la ciudad en los que los agentes pueden interactuar con las autoridades
federales de inmigraci6n.

3) Una revision de las ordenanzas municipales que dan lugar a infracciones leves, implican
sanciones penales y se aplican con sanciones (por ejemplo, el acceso a las plataformas
del tren ligero, las leyes sobre manifestaciones).

CONSIDERANDO QUE la ciudad de Phoenix reconoce la importancia de fomentar la seguridad
publica para todos y la protecci6n de los derechos civiles; y

CONSIDERANDO QUE la ciudad de Phoenix desea crear una ciudad mas justa, equitativa y
transparente; y

CONSIDERANDO que es necesario abordar las preocupaciones relativas a la aplicaci6n
desproporcionada de determinadas leyes y ordenanzas, que pueden dar lugar a resultados
discriminatorios y perpetuar los ciclos de pobreza e inestabilidad; y

CONSIDERANDO QUE la ciudad de Phoenix desea poner fin a las disparidades raciales en las
interacciones entre las fuerzas del orden y el publico; y

POR LO TANTO, EL ALCALDE Y EL CONSEJO MUNICIPAL DE LA CIUDAD DE PHOENIX,
ARIZONA, RESUELVEN LO SIGUIENTE:

SECCION 1: Por la presente se ordena al Departamento de Policia de Phoenix que aplique
practicas de citaci6n y liberaci6n para todos los delitos no violentos, en la medida en que lo
permita la ley.

SECCION 2: Por la presente se ordena al Departamento de Policia de Phoenix que ponga fin a
las paradas de trafico que hist6ricamente se han utilizado como pretexto para registros y
confiscaciones, incluyendo, entre otras, las paradas basadas unicamente en infracciones
relacionadas con el equipamiento u otras infracciones no relacionadas con la circulaci6n, a
menos que dichas infracciones supongan una amenaza inmediata y demostrable para la
seguridad publica.

SECCION 3: Se ordena al Departamento de Policia de Phoenix y al Departamento de Parques
y Recreaci6n que pongan fin a las detenciones por delitos contra la calidad de vida, incluyendo,
entre otros, dormir en una parada de autobus, orinar en publico y manifestarse. Si se solicita
una respuesta, la ciudad enviara proveedores de servicios que no daran lugar a la
criminalizaci6n.

SECCION 4: Por la presente se ordena al Departamento de Policia de Phoenix que ponga fin al
uso de cuotas de arrestos, citaciones y detenciones sancionadas y no sancionadas, incluyedo

el uso de medidas disciplinarias si un agente reduce el numero de detenciones, citaciones o
arrestos.

SECCION 5: El Departamento de Policia de Phoenix no utilizara fondos del Fondo General
para llevar a cabo medidas de control migratorio.

SECCION 6: El Departamento de Policia de Phoenix recopilara y publicara dates exhaustivos
sobre todas las detenciones de trafico, detenciones de peatones, arrestos y citaciones,
desglosados por raza, etnia, edad, genero, motive de la detenci6n y resultado de la misma.
Estes dates se pondran a disposici6n del publico, entre otras cosas, publicandolos en linea y
actualizandolos mensualmente, y se utilizaran para evaluar la eficacia de estas politicas e
identificar cualquier disparidad en su aplicaci6n. Los dates recopilados incluiran, como minimo,
lo siguiente:

1. La raza y el origen etnico de la persona detenida;

2. La edad y el sexo de la persona detenida;

3. El motive declarado para la detenci6n;

4. El resultado de la detenci6n (por ejemplo, advertencia, citaci6n, arresto);

5. El lugar, la hora y la duraci6n de la detenci6n;

6. Si se realiz6 un registro:

7. La justificaci6n y los resultados del registro, incluyendo si se encontr6 contrabando.

8. Si se dio consentimiento para el registro, si dicho consentimiento se dio de forma
voluntaria.

9. Si la detenci6n se prolong6 mas alla del motive inicial de la misma, el motive especifico
de la prolongaci6n (por ejemplo, investigaci6n por conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol,
barrera linguistica, detenci6n para formaci6n, etc.).

SECCION 7: El Administrador Municipal, en colaboraci6n con la Oficina de Rendici6n de
Cuentas y Transparencia, desarrollara e implementara un sistema de retroalimentaci6n
comunitaria, para que la comunidad pueda proporcionar comentarios sobre estas politicas y las
interacciones policiales.

SECCION 8: Se ordena al Fiscal Municipal que revise las ordenanzas y politicas municipales
vigentes para garantizar su coherencia con la presente resoluci6n y que recomiende las
revisiones necesarias para garantizar su alineaci6n con la resoluci6n.

SECCION 9: Se ordena al Fiscal Municipal que identifique todos las c6digos municipales,
penales y civiles, que castigan a las residentes mas alla de lo exigido par las Estatutos
Revisados de Arizona, y que presente dichos c6digos en un plaza de 90 dias a partir de la
entrada en vigor de la presente resoluci6n, para que el Ayuntamiento pueda votar su
eliminaci6n.

SECCION 1 O: La presente resoluci6n entrara en vigor inmediatamente despues de su
adopci6n.

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Meeting City Council Formal Meeting-6/18/2025 complete

1. ¶ For Approval or Correction, the Minutes of the Formal Meeting on March 5, 2025

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2. ¶ Summary

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3. ¶ Liquor License - Tabla Indian Restaurant - District 1

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4. ¶ Liquor License - Humble Market (Series 7) - District 2

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5. ¶ Liquor License - Humble Market (Series 12) - District 2

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6. ¶ Liquor License - Raithu Bazaar - District 2

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7. ¶ Liquor License - Yod Thai Eatery - District 2

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8. ¶ Liquor License - Over Easy - District 3

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9. ¶ Liquor License - The Joy Bus - District 3

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10. ¶ Liquor License - Liquor Cave & Convenience - District 3

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11. ¶ Liquor License - Special Event - Phoenix Pride Incorporated - District 4

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12. ¶ Liquor License - Special Event - WayneFest - District 4

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13. ¶ Liquor License - AZ Pizza Co Downtown - District 4

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14. ¶ Liquor License - Pescaderia y Carniceria La Vaca Muu - District 4

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15. ¶ Liquor License - Rohans Supermarket - District 4

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16. ¶ Liquor License - Tortas El Guero - District 4

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17. ¶ Liquor License - Eye Candy's - District 5

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18. ¶ Liquor License - Shake Shack #1421 - District 5

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19. ¶ Liquor License - Lydia's Kitchen - District 6

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20. ¶ Liquor License - Minnow - District 6

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21. ¶ Liquor License - Easy Access Wholesale LLC - District 7

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22. ¶ Liquor License - Humble Bistro - District 7

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23. ¶ Liquor License - Obon Sushi + Bar + Ramen - District 7

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24. ¶ Liquor License - Stadium - District 7

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25. ¶ Liquor License - San Tan Brewing Co. - District 8

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26. ¶ Liquor License - Shake Shack - District 8

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27. ¶ Liquor License - Culinary Gangster - District 8