🌱 Phoenix Police Not Using Track-Kit System + Firearm In Backpack

Hi, Phoenix! Like many of you, the Patch team will be taking some time off for Labor Day. I’ll be back in your inbox after the long weekend, but until then, here’s what’s happening in town.

But first, your weekend weather:

• Saturday: A thunderstorm in spots. High: 93 Low: 81.
• Sunday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 100 Low: 77.
• Monday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 100 Low: 78.
• Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 102 Low: 73.

Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. Amid efforts to address the sexual assault kit backlog, Phoenix police have come under scrutiny for allegedly being the sole law enforcement agency in Arizona not utilizing a dedicated tracking system for these crucial kits. While the state has adopted a widely respected system known as Track-Kit, designed to provide real-time information to medical professionals, police, prosecutors, and survivors, Phoenix Police have stuck with their existing system. Despite claims of accessibility, advocates argue that the absence of a uniform tracking mechanism creates unnecessary hurdles for survivors seeking updates on their kits and underscores the importance of a statewide accountability system. (Arizona's Family)
2. A firearm was discovered in a student's backpack at Kyrene De La Estrella Elementary School in Phoenix, prompting an ongoing investigation by local authorities. The incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when a teacher found the gun while assisting the student with unpacking. Swiftly removing the weapon to a secure location, school officials contacted law enforcement, attributing the incident to a mistaken placement by an adult. The situation was contained without necessitating a lockdown due to the decisive actions of school staff, and the child's parents are fully engaged in the collaborative police inquiry. (KTAR.com)
3. The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board has decided to extend the closure hours for certain popular hiking trails in an effort to bolster public safety amid extreme heat conditions. The affected trails, including Camelback Mountain's Echo and Cholla Trails, as well as trails in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, will now be off-limits from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during days when the National Weather Service issues Excessive Heat Warnings. The decision builds on a program adopted in 2022, designed to reduce the challenges of mountain rescues and accommodate the high foot traffic from local and out-of-town visitors. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)

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This weekend in and around Phoenix:

Saturday, September 2

• 3rd Annual J’Ouvert In The Desert: Night Glow At Afri Soul Marketplace (10:00 PM)

Sunday, September 3

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show At Madison Center For The Arts (10:00 AM)
• Live Music By Timuthy Joseph At JOJO Coffeehouse, Scottsdale (11:00 AM)

Monday, September 4

• Splash In The City Pool Parties At The Clarendon Hotel and Spa – Oasis Pool (1:00 PM)

Tuesday, September 5

• It Starts Now | Central Flow At Sutra Studios (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Austin Davis, a recent Arizona State University graduate who runs AZ Hugs, is working to help homeless families in Phoenix by providing temporary housing in small trailers and assisting with apartment deposits. His efforts aim to fill the systemic gaps that leave families without shelter, often facing month-long waitlists at major family shelters. Learn more about Davis' mission at the link. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)
• So far in 2023, the Phoenix Police Department has administered 90 doses of Narcan to save the lives of those in need. If you or someone you know needs help with substance abuse, or need information on how to administer Narcan safely, contact the Arizona Overdose Assistance Referral Line anytime at 1-800-688-4222. (Phoenix Police Department via Facebook)
• If you've been waiting to join the Section 8 waitlist, now is your chance! The City of Phoenix will be accepting pre-applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program from Sep. 12-26. (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)
  

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right. I'll catch up with you next week with a new update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.