THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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Cops ‘Ring’ in the New Year West Valley View Managing Editor
Fired Goodyear police chief files appeal
JANUARY 1, 2020
The Voice of the West Valley for 34 years
BY TOM SCANLON
NEWS .............. 8
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Fueled by scanners picking up police chatter, a small section of the population ardently started following law enforcement communications decades ago. In recent years, following the police has gone high-tech. And the cops can follow right back. Indeed, police departments around the West Valley are Ring-ing in the New Year. Started as a home security device, Amazon-owned Ring now incorporates door-camera footage with comments and postings, primarily with its Neighbors app. While some post videos of thefts and suspicious people wandering up to their front doors, a home security camera is not required to use Neighbors. Users of the free app post about stolen property, ask if anyone else heard gunshots, wonder about
all the police activity up the street and ask for assistance finding lost pets. The police keep an eye on Ring. Occasionally, a community relations officer will post information to the community. Showing the police are watching, the Buckeye Police used Neighbors-posted videos to educate the community on keeping cars locked. The videos show a group of young people looking for unlocked cars at homes. (See “Buckeye Police,” Page 2.) Ring/Neighbors users can also view incident maps to see reported crimes close to their homes and cumulative “safety reports.” While Ring/Neighbors has official agreements with the Glendale Police Department and hundreds of other police departments across the country, several other apps allow people to track crime in their
Ring...continued on page 2
The Neighbors app by Ring allows users to post crimes, videos and ask about police activity. The police monitor and use the app to send out information. (Image courtesy Ring)
Elusive suspect shot, captured BY TOM SCANLON
SPORTS ........ 14 Copper Canyon High kicks off socccer season
9 DAYS ......... 16 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar
OPINION .........................9 BUSINESS..................... 12 SPORTS ..........................14 FEATURES .....................17 YOUTH ...........................22 OBITUARIES .................23 CLASSIFIEDS................24 NORTH
West Valley View Managing Editor
Buckeye Police officers shot “armed and dangerous” suspect Christopher Mendoza Dec. 23. “Mendoza was transported to a local hospital for his injuries where he remains in critical condition,” said Joaquin Enriquez, of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, who confirmed Buckeye Police officers shot Mendoza but declined to give specifics. He said the MCSO “is the lead agency on this case and is investigating the shooting.” An off-duty officer first spotted the elusive Mendoza, who turned 34 Friday. Mendoza was on the run from police since a Dec. 20 incident at a Goodyear Walmart. He is accused of aggravated assault and kidnapping. Mendoza, who lives in Avondale and has previous convictions for aggravated as-
sault, misconduct involving weapons and theft, eluded multiple attempts by Goodyear and Avondale police to capture him. Lisa Berry of the Goodyear Police Department called Mendoza “armed and dangerous” while he was on the run. Several who posted comments to a West Valley View Facebook post about Mendoza’s capture expressed relief. “Thank you BPD for risking your lives every day,” said Kim Mosteller. “Thank goodness this guy is off the streets. “He held the entire west side up in fear,” commented Frances Cabrera. “Many couldn’t leave their homes or return.” The Buckeye off-duty officer who spotted Mendoza called for backup. Rossi, who declined to give names of officers involved due to a pending investigation, said the off-duty officer and other
Suspect...continued on page 3
Buckeye Police officers shot and captured Christopher Mendoza, accused of kidnapping and aggravated assault after waving a gun in a Goodyear Walmart. (Photo courtesy Goodyear Police)