Chief Dale Walters presented a comprehensive update on the Globe Police Department’s activities and achievements during the past year. Despite ongoing challenges related to staffing, staff development, equipment, and technology, the department made significant progress in several areas.
The PD is authorized for 28 sworn positions and has four vacancies. Two are task force positions and are expected to be filled within two months. Chief Walters said the department is actively recruiting on a daily basis.
In terms of professional staff, the department is fully staffed with five full-time positions and one contract part-time victim advocate. There have been three retirements:
There have also been three recent new hires:
Chief Walters said the department’s single biggest accomplishment last year was making progress toward becoming accredited through the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police. This accreditation will help the city ensure the PD stays relevant and well-trained, and is following best practices and policies, regardless who is at the helm.
Key achievements in preparation for a spring 2025 accreditation include:
In terms of traffic enforcement, the PD conducted 3,395 traffic stops in 2024, down from 5,037 in 2023, but Chief Walters said this was offset by increased proactive measures. Business checks rose by 600, and field interrogation stops increased by 100.
In terms of trends in crime, in 2024 versus 2018, assaults decreased from 122 to 53, burglaries dropped from 124 to 56, and domestic disturbances reduced from 407 to 194. There was a minor increase in shoplifting. Chief Walters said 2024 was the first year since he joined the Globe PD that there was no fatal crime within city limits.
“The number one priority of any law enforcement organization is the safety of the community.” Chief Dale Walters
In response to a question, Chief Walters said the recent shift of court services from the county to the city will cause some increased costs but will be better in the long run, and it is already being reflected in improved communication.
Council heard updates on the status of ongoing projects within the City, including the Connie’s Bridge replacement, the shade structure at the Library, the future fire station, the Silver King Building, and the Michaelson Building.
Connie's Bridge. January 24, 2025 Photo by LCGrossCity Engineer Luis Chavez provided an update on the progress on the Upper Pinal Creek Bridge, aka Connie’s Bridge.
Remediation work under the deck is being carried out by the contractor Legacy Foundations, which does work nationwide. Delays occurred due to negotiations with Meridian, as well as equipment transportation issues and the holidays. Equipment was brought in last Friday and Saturday, with more expected to come. The remediation work is estimated to take three weeks.
Meridian is handling the railing, involving welding and assembly, which will also take three weeks and is happening simultaneously with the remediation. Once both the remediation and railing work are completed, which should be within four weeks, the new bridge will be opened to traffic and the old bridge will be demolished.
“I had to make sure it’s done right, instead of in a rush and ending up with a project that’s mediocre. … We’re going to end up with a good product there.” City Engineer Luis Chavez
City Manager Paul Jepson pointed out that the old bridge, which is over 100 years old, is in poor condition, is a poor design, and could be closed by ADOT at any time for being substandard and unsafe. Chavez said ADOT already asked the City to reduce the weight limit on the bridge from 20 tons to 10 tons after a structural analysis. The old bridge is still open, but vehicles must slow down due to the ongoing work.
Councilmember Shipley pointed out that concerns have been raised about whether the new bridge’s design is appropriate for tractor-trailer rigs, and Jepson said the bridge was designed for a certain kind of heavy truck traffic. However, Chavez said his department is already working on a redesign in case it is needed.
In terms of cost, the project remains within the original budget, with no additional cost due to the delays.
Globe Library, new ramada January 24, '25. Photo by LCGrossWork has been completed on a permanent shade structure at the City Library, after a thorough planning and development process as well as delays due to site placement issues. The structure provides a durable replacement for previous temporary tents that tended to blow away, and will provide ample space for children’s outdoor activities. A new fence surrounds the area.
“It’s a pleasure to drive around the City these days. You see these projects, you see the progress. … You see something new.” Councilman Gonzalez
The project was a joint effort between the city and the Friends of the Library and cost approximately $33,000.
According to Public Works Director John Angulo, more work is scheduled for the area outside the fence, including a drinking water station, as well as improvements to the parking lot area.
The old SilverKing Building. Photo by LCGrossJepson pointed out that the City owns the Silver King building and aims to demolish it. Connie Callaway, the City’s Grants Manager, said the City is working to obtain state funds for the project, which she estimates will cost between $75,000 and $100,000.
It is hoped demolition can take place in early spring. A study was done to confirm that there is no documentation showing the Silver King building is protected in any way for historical value.
Earlier, the Stairizona stairwalk had been blocked off due to safety concerns, but that pathway has now been opened, and many people are using it to access the stairwalk.
The location of the future fire station is the 703 medical building, which has a building that needs to be taken down. That demolition has been delayed and complicated by paperwork relating to grant funding that the city previously received along with the county.
The City owns the property but is still seeking funds to finance the project.
In connection with a short discussion on the recent Public Safety Work Group meeting, Councilmember Gonzalez commented that there have been difficulties in securing funding for fire department projects, including a new fire station and new fire apparatus. Despite successful grant applications over the past few years, the momentum for these projects has stalled, he said.
“The paradigm has shifted, and I’m not happy with certain aspects of the federal government failing us.” Councilman Gonzalez
Councilman Gonzalez pointed out that staff is continuing to explore alternative funding strategies for the new fire station.
The Michaelson Building on the corner of Broad and Sycamore. 1-24-25. Photo by LCGrossLinda Oddonetto explained that the historic Michaelson Building is planned to become a small business incubator space, which will serve as a one-stop shop for all business support services, with upstairs suites available for lease. The building will also house a downtown visitors center.
The incubator space is a partnership between Gila County, the SPDC, the Southern Gila County EDC.
Interior demolition is expected to be complete within a few weeks, and work on the exterior will also be going on. A banner will be hung as soon as there is a place to hang it.
Council approved a cooperative agreement between the City of Globe Fire Department and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for wildland fire protection. The agreement makes it possible for City of Globe Fire Department resources to be deployed on an as-needed and as-available basis to help suppress wildfires.
Chief Gary Robinson pointed out that the City is party to two agreements defining, first, how the City responds to wildfires and, second, how the City then is compensated for the Department’s time and equipment.
The agreement being discussed today is the first of those two agreements, defining the responsibilities of the City and of the State with regard to wildfire responses. As to the second agreement, setting the rates, the City is operating now according to an agreement that was signed recently and is valid for five years. That agreement did not have to come before Council.
According to the agreement, the city is responsible for responding to wildfires on properties within City limits that are under the jurisdiction of the State Land Department. The Arizona Department of Forestry will provide support when needed.
“Basically, this agreement is going to let us send our truck out to wildfires in the city, in the county, in the state … and for requesting them back in to respond within our jurisdiction as well.” Chief Robinson
Chief Robinson said although there were no significant wildfires in the city last summer, the fire department responded to incidents nearby, deploying wildland firefighting aircraft, such as in the Russell Road area.
The agreement also allows the deployment of City resources to support wildfire suppression efforts both within Arizona and in other states, like California, as the Fire Department is able and available.
Chief Robinson said the FD has not participated in California so far, but their truck was deployed to Payson and has just returned. Robinson anticipates additional deployments. He acts as duty officer for the Gila County group and handles dispatching. Tri-City did send a truck to California.
“I don’t anticipate that (California is) going to stop calling for resources anytime in the near future. Just the way seasons are going and the weather events that they’re having, I anticipate that we’ll probably have something out there in the near term.” Chief Robinson
For in-state deployments, the FD can send the truck out with three people. In case of an out-of-state deployment, they are required to send four. Backfill personnel costs would be covered by the agreement.
Council also approved motions for the following:
Members of the Globe City Council: Mayor Al Gameros, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton (District 4), and Council members Freddy Rios (District 1), Mike Pastor (District 2), Jesse Leetham (District 3), Mariano Gonzalez (District 5), and Fernando Shipley (District 6). Vice Mayor Stapleton and Councilmembers Gonzalez, Shipley, and Pastor were in attendance at this meeting.
To view this meeting online, visit City Council Meeting - January 14, 2025
To view documents related to this meeting, click here.
Full minutes can be found by visiting the City Hall website .
The Globe City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meetings are currently open to the public at 50% capacity. Members of the public are requested to wear a mask except when seated. Seating is limited to allow for social distancing.
Members of the public can also participate in City of Globe public meetings by viewing the meeting live on YouTube. To view the Council meeting live stream, go to the City of Globe’s YouTube channel (search for City of Globe Arizona). Or click on the “Live Stream on YouTube” link at the top of www.globeaz.gov.
To speak to agenda items before or during the meeting, call or text (928) 200-0154 or email council@globeaz.gov. If you desire to speak to the Council during an agenda item.
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