February 2, 2020 | www.santansun.com
Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
City: Chandler 2019 crime rate hit new low SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
The city of Chandler is reporting that 2019 experienced some of the lowest crime rates in recent history. There were 22.8 criminal offenses committed last year for every 1,000 Chandler residents, according to data released by Chandler Police. Ten years earlier, the per capita crime rate was 32.6 – and the city had 10,000 fewer residents. Chandler’s crime rate has been on a downward trajectory since the early 2000s, with the exception of 2016 seeing a slight boost in robberies and thefts. According to the city’s data, Chandler reported four homicides in 2019, 102
South Chandler Police Commander Ed Upshaw displays a Ring, the camera-ready doorbell that has become a tool in the department's fight against crime. (File photo)
robberies, 353 aggravated assaults, 547 burglaries, 4,458 thefts, and 17 cases of arson. In 2007, the city reported 10 homicides, 246 robberies, 517 assaults, 5,871 thefts, and 68 cases of arson. When Police Chief Sean Duggan took over the department in 2014, his first strategic goal
was to prevent crime by exploring new technology and making officers more visible in the community. The agency’s boosted its presence on social media over the years, using the platform to publicize public awareness campaigns. The agency previously said these simple reminders to lock vehicles and homes have helped to significantly reduce property crime in the city. Chandler reported about 100 fewer burglaries in 2019 than the previous year, yet the number of stolen vehicles increased by 60. See
CRIME on page 3
CUSD teachers, staffers may fill in for school bus drivers BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
Tommy Hambicki looks at the wheelchair that was stolen and then returned in basically unuseable shape. In the meantime, he got a replacement thanks to the generosity of friends, neighbors and even strangers. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
Chandler coach's wheelchair theft touches community BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
Tommy Hambicki’s wheelchair has been on a turbulent journey these last couple weeks. It went missing on Jan. 14 – presumably stolen by a thief – and left the 35-year-old coach scrambling to find it. “I had no idea what to do,” recalled Hambicki, who was paralyzed below the waist in a car accident in 2003. A one-time basketball star at Gilbert High School, Hambicki’s life has certainly been filled with highs and lows – but losing his wheelchair felt like a new low. He filed police reports, called pawn shops and surveyed his neighbors – hoping something might lead to him finding his wheelchair.
A neighbor’s security camera captured a man taking Hambicki’s wheelchair off his front porch in broad daylight. After watching this footage, Hambicki knew then he probably wasn’t getting his chair back and set out to get a replacement. His chair had been custom-made just for him and buying a new one would cost at least $6,000. Hambicki found out his insurance policy doesn’t cover thefts, requiring him to pay entirely out-of-pocket for a new chair. The news didn’t really surprise Hambicki since his insurance often won’t pay for necessary medical supplies. “I don’t even get coverage for my catheters,” he said. “I have to pay to pee.” The new chair’s big price tag worried Hambicki’s family, so they turned to the See
WHEELCHAIR on page 4
The shortage of licensed bus drivers has been plaguing school districts across Arizona for the last few years and the Chandler Unified School District is implementing a new strategy to offset it. The district may have up to 18 vacancies for bus drivers at any given time, resulting in drivers working more overtime and a greater reliance on charter buses to transport students to extracurricular activities. Steve Hewitt, Chandler Unified’s transportation director, said the lack of drivers has not forced CUSD to cancel any driving routes, but his staff has looked for creative ways to be more efficient with their resources. One strategy involves buying smaller vehicles and letting teachers drive them to after-school events. Instead of dispatching a large bus to transport a handful of students, the district’s planning to rely more on existing staff to take on some driving duties. On Jan. 22, the CUSD Governing Board authorized spending $1.5 million on 30 new vans and mini buses that can be driven by teachers and coaches. These smaller vehicles don’t require a commercial driver’s license – unlike a regular school bus – making it easer for school personnel to operate them. Hewitt added that all staff members
are still vetted before they’re allowed to transport students to sports games or science fairs. “All drivers of activity vans and buses go through a training and have their driving record run by the district,” Hewitt said. Certification for driving an 84-passenger school bus can be a lengthy process that includes passing multiple exams and a medical evaluation. Rather than having staff jump through hoops to get certified, the district’s investing in smaller vehicles that most staff should be able to operate. Adding to the district’s fleet of vans will permit staff to not rely so much on certified drivers for transportation, according to CUSD Chief Financial Officer, Lana Berry. “This allows our coaches to have the flexibility to drive to and from events without having to wait for a bus,” Berry said. The district’s insurance provider already covers all its vehicles and the people who operate them, Berry added, so Chandler Unified won’t have to obtain more coverage for teachers driving vans. Schools districts across Arizona have been adjusting its operations in recent years due to a lack of available bus drivers. Kyrene School District and Gilbert and Mesa public schools changed their bell schedules last year to better cope with the shortage and Mesa and Gilbert also boosted wages for drivers in an effort to
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Chandler, contractor scammed out of $172K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Community . . . . Page 8 Housing inventory exceptionally low. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Business . . . . . . . Page 25 Jacobson Elementary kids have train club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Neighbors . . . . . Page 42 Downtown Chandler gets new mural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arts . . . . . . . . . . . Page 51 Hot Bamboo sizzles with customers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eat . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 61
STFF .............................................................. Center Section
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BUSES on page 3
More Community . . . . . 01-24 Business . . . . . . . .25-28 Sports . . . . . . . . . .37-40 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Neighbors . . . . . .42-50 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . 51-55 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Directory . . . . . . . 57-58 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 59 Where to Eat. . . . 61-62