North Center Revitalization Assoc. (NCRA)

Mesa Police Dept’s. Community Meeting at Edison Elementary - Jul

July 31, 2006

Mesa Police Dept’s. Community Meeting at Edison Elementary - July 31, 2006



The Multipurpose room was full to overflowing with a ‘standing room only’ crowd. I was sandwiched in the back of the room next to Dave Richins and Vice Mayor Claudia Walters, between Channel 3 and Channel 5 news people. I’ve been to lots of meetings, and this was probably the most widely covered by the media that I’ve seen. There were even reporters from independent radio stations.



Interim Mesa Police Chief Fowler began the meeting, making note of the Councilmembers and City Staff at the meeting. He said the meeting was called to explain “What is going on in our community and what we are doing about it.” Specifically, it was being held to address concerns about the two shootings in the last nine days in our city.



Let me interject something here. I was impressed by Interim Chief Fowler’s total command attitude. He is sharp, well-versed in criminal procedure and investigation, and if I had to pick someone in control of this particular investigation, I’m glad it is him. He will conduct a legal investigation, without hysteria, and with caution so that everyone’s rights are respected and that in the end what is done will stand up in court to convict the perpetrator(s). When badgered for more information, he firmly stated that the PD was not being ‘coy’ about it, but were maintaining the professionalism that is necessary to apprehend and prosecute the person(s) responsible for the crimes.



He explained that one man was shot on Saturday the 22nd, but that since he is recovering from his wound(s) that there would be no information given out about him. Since there are many possibilities as to his particular shooting, nothing that will jeopardize him further will be released.



Then he said that last night (Sunday) at 11 p.m. a young woman (since identified as 22-year-old Robin Blasnek, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Harris 2nd Ward) walking on Gilbert road (near her home and on the way to her boyfriend’s home to surprise him), she was shot and later succumbed to her injuries and passed away.



Police are working around the clock with all Valley agencies to identify and apprehend the person(s) who shot her. Great resources are being brought to bear on this investigation. However, he stated, “We cannot do this alone.” The Police need our help to be the eyes and ears in the community.



If we observe any kind of suspicious activity, we are to dial 911 right away. He said that if you are trying to remember a license plate number, call 911 and blurt it out immediately so that whatever you can remember will be on tape. If your call turns out to be something that can be handled by the Police non-emergency number (480-644-2211 – I suggest that you put this number on speed dial on your cell phone – or you can list it under “A” as someone in the meeting suggested), you will be transferred immediately there to free up to the 911 lines so that they can be answered within three rings (the goal of the dept.). If you have seen or heard something around where you live in the neighborhood call Silent Witness - 480-948-6377.



Commander John Meza, who runs the Central District was up next. He said, “As a police department, we are always trying to figure out what can we do to get tips.” Therefore, the purpose of this meeting is to create an awareness for the City of Mesa and those who live here that tips are going to make the difference in catching the killer. The police will provide us with as much information as possible about the crimes, and suggest ways we can help. Information from the police about what to do and what to concentrate on will generate more tips. So this meeting will outline what the police are doing and what we can do to help.



There are resources available for citizens regarding personal safety, women safety, child safety, etc. All of these resources can be used to help keep you safe.



Sgt. Tapani, the Public Information for the PD, said they will talk as much as they can about these two cases, but cannot release information that will jeopardize them.



On July 22nd, at 445 a.m. a “shots fired” call in the area of Stapley and Brown was phoned to the PD. A 37-year-old man was found lying on ground next to his bicycle. He said he had heard a “popping sound” and realized he had been shot. Residents saw him and that he needed help. He has been released from the hospital. The police immediately canvassed the area and no one they talked to saw anything. This case was tied to the other shootings...there are 35 cases now.



There are similarities in this crime that have occurred in other crimes identified with the Serial Shooter - time of day or night when people are being shot and walking alone or riding their bikes by themselves. (I’m not sure if there is evidence that links them, besides these similarities.)



Nine days after that shooting we have the shooting on Sunday night – a 22-year-old female was shot in the area of Gilbert and Grandview (Brown). Residents came to her aid. Several heard a gunshot. Some looked to see what had happened. She was able to say a few words to he resident who first came to her aid, but then lapsed into unconsciousness. They got her to the hospital but she passed away from her wounds.



No one saw the shooter, no one saw a suspicious vehicle. The only common thread is that a resident heard a gunshot.



We don't know where the person will strike next...and we need thousands of eyes watching. Something you witness you may think to be insignificant to you but it may be essential to the police. They are following up any lead, he will stumble, someone will see something, hopefully it will give the police a license plate, and we'll catch him. Our PD is comparing everything with the Phoenix Police Dept. We have open books with them on these shootings.



There are no suspects.



Question: Have the police ruled out possibility of a gang initiation for either one of the shootings?



Answer: They have not released the information from the Staley and Brown shooting because they are looking at everything, and gang-related activity is something to look at as a matter of course.



Q: Is the FBI involved, and if not, why not?



A: Phoenix PD is working with Federal agencies on these cases but as of yet, Mesa is not.



Q: Is there any forensic evidence?



A: There is no forensic evidence...just similarities between the other killings.



Q: What about ballistics evidence?



A: Not commenting on that at this time.



Q: Is it possible that he is not in a car?



A: Yes, it is a possibility. They have all occurred on a major roadway in Mesa. One of the first things to do is to canvas the area, which they have done in both cases.



Q: What would be the bracket of time so that we would have an idea of when the Police would suggest that we not be out?



A: Early morning and late night...the hours of darkness.



Q: Can you tell us whether it was a handgun or a rifle?



A: Won’t answer that question.



Q: What about the composite drawing released, was it of the shooter or the rapist?



A: This was the rapist and based on one of the victims and crimes committed.



Q: What proactive steps have the police dept taken? Are there more night time patrols?



A: Commander Meza responded: There are several facets of the investigation. As far as Central District is concerned, we are putting more resources into patrol he said. He won't talk about tactics...but there is a significant amount of resources put on this investigation. The patrol officers will check out every lead or every call they are given.



He also said that the men and women of the PD are totally committed. Some officers have said they will work on days off, or work later hours to provide better coverage during darkness. The police are going to have to check out everything, many things that they would not normally check out, so we have to realize the tremendous load this will put on the Dept. They’ll do their job if we’ll be the eyes and ears they need to catch this killer.



He urged us not to change our lifestyle but be more aware of those around you. This is your neighborhood, the street where your family lives, and we don't want to take that away from you...but be safe and take care of yourself and your family.



Q: If not caught when kids go back to school what will the PD do to further assure safety of our children?



A: Be aware that the police will pull over more people than ever during their patrols. Nothing that is noticed will be taken for granted. There will be a greater police presence.



Q: Has it been established that the serial rapist is different from the serial shooter?



A: We are pretty confident that it is two separate people.



Q: Are we being hunted?



A: Can’t comment on that, but a good way to counter this threat is to establish and work on Neighborhood Watches.



Q: We have heard that the patrol districts are being realigned. How will the effect the investigation and our safety?



A: Districts are to be realigned on Monday Aug 7th and it will not affect how the investigation is being done.



Nicole Tanquersley – The City of Mesa’s Crime Prevention Specialist. She said that the crimes affect two patrol districts, Central and Red Mountain Districts. She wants to concentrate on what we can do to prevent this from happening again. Because we live in Arizona were it gets extremely hot during the day, we do things early morning and after sunset. Don't change lifestyle, but take precautions. Recently she was out at 4 a.m. observing neighborhoods. She noticed that people were out alone in the early morning, with earphones on, not paying attention to who or what was happening around them. This has got to stop! Take someone with you if you have to go out during these hours. It is hoped there is safety in numbers. More sets of eyes looking out for what is going on.



Don't be in the zone and not paying attention to what is going on...be aware at all times.



Keep headphones off!



Take a charged up cell phone with you, even if you don't have service. As long as cell phone is charged up you can dial 911 even if you don not have service. There are cell phones available if you don’t have one to carry for emergencies. Just give her a call at the number below.



Vary your route...don't be a creature of habit. Vary your route and the time that you are running or biking, morning one day and evening the other day. Tell someone where you are going.



Make a game out of observing passing vehicles and remembering their license plates. If walking by a strip mall, look at the businesses, try to see where someone would conceal themselves. Where would I sit to ambush somebody? If someone approaches you be sure to make eye contact.



Malls are a great place to go and walk...air conditioned, you are safe there, cameras around, Fiesta Mall, Superstition Springs Mall.



Consider Neighborhood Watch. This program of the City teaches you how to recognize suspicious vehicles and people and activities. It’s all about noticing what is out of place. Your first reaction lots of times is that you don’t want to bother the police with something that might be trivial to you. Get out of that kind of thinking, because the police need all the information they can get, and there is that non-emergency number that is well staffed and ready to take information and/or refer you to the right dept. Talk to neighbors about which vehicles belong and which don't.



Get to know people on your block.



There are free self defense classes that are being taught to women over the next three months. They are all full right now, but there are other agencies that are doing this in the area.



Just call Nicole at 480-644-2033.



Q: What about having a big dog?



A: Big dogs are mostly protection from a strong arm robber. Don't know how that would affect someone shooting from a fixed position.



Q: Non emergency 480-644-2211 for police.



Crime Prevention - 644-2300



Q: Motive?



A: Can't get into specifics, but looking at all different kinds of motives.



Nicole talked about layers of protection, which I thought was a good idea…Neighborhood Watch, buddy system for going out during darkness, cell phone charged up and ready, vary your route and time of day, watch everything, make eye contact, notice cars and license plates, even partial plates, notice people, notice cars…put on lots of layers of protection.



Q: Are the police working with the Guardian Angels?



A: There really was no answer here…I don’t know how the police feel about the Guardian Angels.



Representatives of the Guardian Angels were in the audience and offered any assistance they could to the effort.



Q: Copycat?



A: Can't rule out.



Q: Legal to carry a taser?



A: Yes.



Q: One man asked why we didn’t treat this emergency like they do the funeral of an officer. When that happens, police send representatives from ten western states to the funeral. Have we thought of asking for that kind of influx of officers to help with our investigation?



A: I didn’t her the answer to this question, if there was one. I turned to Vice Mayor Walters and said, “That would be a disaster!” I just can’t imagine having that many departments from that many areas wouldn’t be just utter chaos!



Q: How close was the shooter to the victims?



A: Can’t answer that.



Q: How can we the people help the police?



A: The PD has a volunteer coordinator and they can use all the help they can get. Call that non-emergency number and they’ll put you in contact with the person in the dept. handing volunteers.



Q: What if there are people who don’t want to be identified as calling in?



A: Call anonymously to the Silent Witness line.



Q: I am concerned about the quality of information that is publicly available. What are the facts? Just tell us the facts.



A: (This is when I was so impressed by our Interim Police Chief Fowler.) He said that this is a complex legal system we live in. In order to assure justice for everybody, even the perpetrator of these crimes, we have to make sure we don't break the rules...we don't want officers to do something illegal to taint the case. If you want a detailed, pubic examination of all the shootings, he said to go to the AZ Republic which had an article in the past that detailed everything known about all the shootings...it talks about all the sequences of the shootings.



He said, as a Police Dept., “We are not being coy because we don't want to give you the specifics. Together we will take back our neighborhoods, legally and as swiftly as is humanly possible.” “Don't be victims, or set yourself up to be a victim. Don't make yourself a target. If you are trying to remember a license plate number, call 911 and blurt it out and get it on tape. They may ask you to call the non-emergency number, but you’ll have preserved some evidence on the tape.”



Well, neighbors, I hope that you have benefited as much as I have from the meeting. I tried to get down all I could so that those who were having Family Home Evening, or otherwise engaged, could benefit from this wonderful meeting.



Now, take to heart what you’ve read and be safe, do all you can NOT to be a victim, and call the PD – 911 or 480-644-2211 with ANYTHING you think might or might not be important. Let them decide. If you feel impressed to call, DO IT!



Bob Parker, Secretary

Mesa Grande Community Alliance



(If I have not quoted our public officials correctly, it was not on purpose. Let me know and I will amend whatever I can.)


Robert Parker
Executive Assistant to the Chair
OB/GYN Department
Maricopa Medical Center
Phoenix, Arizona
Phone: 602-344-5119
Fax: 602-344-1324
email: robert_parker@medprodoctors.com