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This Week
NEWS ............... 8 MCCC gives chancellor no-confidence vote
SPORTS ......... 17 Desert Edge High School unveils new field house
9 DAYS .......... 20 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar
LETTERS.........................10 BUSINESS..................... 14 SPORTS...........................16 FEATURES......................22 NEIGHBORHOOD.......26 YOUTH............................28 OBITUARIES..................29 CLASSIFIEDS.................30 SOUTH
The Voice of the West Valley for 34 years
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April 24, 2019
Tolleson precinct begins body camera program BY ANDREA ESTRADA
West Valley View Staff Writer
Maryvale Estrella Mountain Precinct officers will test out new Axon body-worn cameras – per a 30-day pilot program – and provide feedback to the Phoenix Police Department before it distributes the technology to other Valley precincts. Michael Kurtenbach, Phoenix Police Department executive assistant chief, said the Tolleson precinct’s officers will evaluate the cameras in three areas: low-light sensitivity, high definition and auto activation. “When we issued this request for proposal, we wanted to get the best technology possible for our community and for our officers,” Kurtenbach said. “There were 42 requirements, and of those things that were really important to us was the ability to record in low-light conditions, recognizing our officers do a lot of work at night. Also, they record in high-definition and auto-activation technology to reduce human error.” Kurtenbach said the department received its first cameras in 2011 through a “small pilot program of 18 cameras,” and when the Maryvale Estrella Mountain Pre-
Sgt. Kevin Johnson wears one of the new Axon cameras issued to Maryvale Estrella Mountain Precinct in Tolleson. (West Valley View photo by Pablo Robles)
cinct launched its first pilot program, 56 cameras were issued. “We started our program April 15, 2013,
right out here in the Maryvale Estrella
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Buckeye officials looking to increase water rates BY ANDREA ESTRADA
West Valley View Staff Writer
Buckeye officials are planning to increase some residents’ water rates to meet an influx of additional revenues required for the ongoing operations of the water fund. Buckeye City Council adopted a notice of intention to increase water rates on April 16. The issue will return for a public
hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, in the Council Chambers, 530 E. Monroe Avenue. The planned increase was sparked by a study of the city’s water rates conducted by the water resources department and Raftelis Financial Consultants. The study analyzed the financial need of the water and wastewater funds, Water Resources Director Michael D. Weber said.
According to Weber, the study determined the wastewater fund is properly funded and, in turn, does not require an increase in revenue, whereas the water fund indicated a need for an increase in revenue. “In order to achieve the revenue that’s required, we would be looking at making some modifications to the rate structure
Water...continued on page 2