Bits and Pieces

Holiday Festival of the Arts this weekend at the Oro Valley Marketplace 

Art State Arizona and the Town of Oro Valley will host the 14th Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration on December 6–7 at the Oro Valley Marketplace. The free two-day event features more than 150 artists, over 500 performers, hands-on activities for kids, festive food, and the community tree lighting at 6 p.m. Saturday. This long-running celebration has grown into one of Southern Arizona’s signature holiday weekends, drawing thousands each year. See the two day event schedule here.

 “Safest City in Arizona” and holiday scams featured in this month's Crimefighter Newsletter

The Oro Valley Police Department ("OVPD") reports that Oro Valley was ranked the #1 Safest City in Arizona earlier this year by security company SafeWise, based on the latest FBI crime statistics showing the town had the lowest violent crime rate in the state. The department credits the community’s support, strong crime-prevention programs, and the work of its officers and volunteers for maintaining the town’s safety record. See the list here.

OVPD is warning residents about a spike in holiday scams, citing a Visa report showing that criminals are using more sophisticated, AI-generated fake shopping sites, package-delivery texts, travel deals, and even bogus charities to steal personal and financial information. Residents are urged to avoid clicking unknown links, verify websites before purchasing, and confirm the legitimacy of any charity before donating. (Source)

Council continues silence on possible Copper Creek Elementary closing
Wednesday, the Oro Valley Town Council remained silent on the possible closing of Copper Creek Elementary during last week’s meeting. This was the final meeting of the year, so there will be no further opportunity for council discussion before the Amphi School District makes its decision in January. Not one council member suggested adding the matter as a future agenda item.

No residents attended the meeting to voice concern or ask for council support. Perhaps the council viewed the absence of public comment as a reason to do nothing. Still, as we and others reported last week, there are residents who are worried.

We had hoped the council would show some leadership by ensuring those residents are heard and that their concerns are communicated to the Amphi School District before its January decision. We are not alone in that view. “This should have been anticipated and we should already have engaged area residents and at least have some options for addressing this. Unfortunately, not so,” Mayoral Candidate Mark Napier wrote on our Facebook page.

"Lights On Landoran" 

The holiday display and synchronzed musical light show is back at the west intersection of Landoran and Golf View Drive. The display runs nightly through New Year’s Day—6 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It's well worth the visit.

Council Member Greene announces that he is "alive and well"

Council Member Mo Greene addressed a "social media" rumor that he was going to resign from council. Greene, speaking at the Wednesday Council meeting, quoted Mark Twain, noting that "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." Greene has every intention of completing his term.

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Bits and Pieces

Town releases simplified financial report for fiscal 2024

The Town of Oro Valley has published the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), a concise and easy-to-read summary of the more detailed Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The PAFR provides residents with key financial information, including revenues, expenditures, net assets, debt, financial ratings, and historical trends. It offers a clear overview of the Town’s fiscal health and achievements, making it more accessible to the community. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Oro Valley brings back public art tours

The Town of Oro Valley is relaunching its in-person Public Art Tour Program starting February 2, 2025. The tours, which were suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, are being offered as a pilot program with free participation this season. Tours will take participants to over 20 locations around Oro Valley to view various public art pieces, with stops at the Oro Valley Marketplace and Oro Valley Hospital. Tours are available on select Wednesdays and Sundays from February to April and can be booked online. The town aims to make Oro Valley a prime destination for art lovers and is gathering community feedback to improve future offerings. (Source: Town of Oro Valley Media Release)

Our police don't have "traffic ticket" quotas

The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) does not have quotas for traffic tickets, as quotas could pressure officers to issue unnecessary citations. Officers focus on addressing significant traffic violations to ensure public safety, with the goal of correcting unsafe behavior rather than issuing tickets automatically. (Source: Oro Valley Crimefighter, January 2025)

Rancho Vistoso residents need vote on street parking enforcement  

A new Arizona law may limit the Vistoso Community Association’s ability to enforce street parking rules, but a community-wide vote would allow enforcement to continue. If the association loses this authority, it could lead to safety concerns such as blocked views for drivers and pedestrians, restricted access for emergency vehicles, and reduced property values due to unsightly parked vehicles. Residents are urged to participate in the upcoming vote before the annual meeting on March 27, 2025, to help maintain the community’s safety and aesthetics. (Source: VCA Newsletter-January 2025)

Oro Valley gets high marks

Oro Valley, Arizona, has been recognized as the #1 safest and wealthiest retirement community in the United States. This recognition comes from a November 2024 report by GoBankingRates.com, which highlights factors such as low crime rates, high average retirement income ($52,098), and a livability score of 81. (Report) 

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Oro Valley Police Department: A Year of Safety, Achievements, and Holiday Tips

OVPD's commitment to community safety and gratitude
As the year comes to a close, the Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) extends heartfelt thanks to the community for its unwavering support. This appreciation spans kind words, meals delivered to the station, artwork from children, and the significant volunteer hours contributed by members of the Citizen Volunteer Assistants Program (CVAP). OVPD acknowledges the essential role of community involvement in making Oro Valley one of the safest places to live.

Recognition as a leading safe city in Arizona
In 2024, Oro Valley was recognized as the second safest city in Arizona by SafeWise.com, based on FBI crime statistics. The town notably held the lowest violent crime rate in the state. This achievement underscores OVPD’s dedication to public safety and reflects its commitment to maintaining a high quality of life for all residents.

Advancements in accreditation and safety programs
OVPD’s Emergency Communications Center reached a milestone by achieving accreditation through the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP), becoming only the second agency in Arizona to do so. The rigorous process, accomplished in under a year, demonstrates the department’s focus on excellence. Additionally, the Dark House Program continues to provide peace of mind to residents traveling during the holiday season by offering regular checks on vacant homes.

Securing grants for enhanced service
The department successfully secured federal and state grants totaling approximately $380,000. These funds supported various initiatives, such as overtime pay, safety equipment, and recruitment efforts. Notably, the grants facilitated traffic safety enforcement and the procurement of ballistic vests, ensuring that budget constraints do not hinder critical services.

Successful community events and outreach
The annual National Night Out at Oro Valley Marketplace, featuring over 50 displays and record attendance of more than 6,000 participants, highlighted OVPD's strong community ties. The department's Community Resources Unit also conducted multiple programs, including Citizens Academies, crime prevention talks, and Dispose-A-Med events that collected significant amounts of unused drugs, showcasing their proactive approach to engagement.

Promoting holiday safety and responsible celebrations
As the holiday season approaches, OVPD reminds residents to stay vigilant against crimes like burglary and purse-snatching, especially in busy shopping environments. The department also urges responsible celebrations, noting that impaired driving poses risks to everyone. OVPD emphasizes that enjoying the festivities safely ensures a happier holiday for all.

But if you are involved in a traffic accident
In the event of a minor traffic accident, OVPD advises drivers to exchange essential information, including names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers, and driver’s license details, as required by Arizona law (A.R.S. 28-663A). It is also important to offer reasonable aid to anyone injured by calling 911. Even for minor accidents, contacting OVPD to document the incident is recommended, as insurance companies often request a police report number during claim processing. In Oro Valley, it is acceptable to call 911 for any police assistance, ensuring that details are accurately recorded and protecting against potential disputes.
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Source: Oro Valley Police Department crime fighter newsletter, November 2024

Bits and Pieces

VCA President runs roughshod over Sienna residents

Normally, LOVE does not report the machinations of homeowners associations. They are, indeed, their own legal entity. They are important to the community. They can do great good. They could also do great harm. It has been reported to us that there is a problem going on involving the Rancho Vistoso Community Association ("VCA") and small managed portion, Sienna.

It seems that VCA Chairman Gail Lopez Van Damm sent out a not board approved draft letter intended for Sienna, to the entire Rancho Vistoso Community. She did so without getting Board approval.  Then, she called a Board meeting to get permission to send the letter.

Lopez is on a tear to do something about the fountain entry way to Sienna. First, she wanted to obliterate it. Then, after getting a friendly letter from a Sienna resident attorney, she decided to try to restore it. 

She's a two year resident and a transplant from Chicago. What does she really know of the residents of Rancho Vistoso or of Oro Valley?

How did a person who barely has lived in Rancho Vistoso or Oro Valley or Arizona ever get elected to the VCA in the first place?

“No more than Fifty” on Oracle

We hope that you will join our campaign to improve safety on Oracle Road. It’s Oro Valley’s most trafficked road. Drivers routinely exceed the speed limit. The result: Oracle Road is where Oro Valley experiences the most accidents [table right]. In the past tenth months alone, 63% of total accidents involve some intersection with Oracle Road. 

The worst intersection is Oracle and Magee.  The number 2 worst has nothing to do with Oracle Road but it is under assault. It is Tangerine and 1st/Rancho Vistoso Blvd. This is the area where hundreds of tiny homes are being requested by Avilla.

Oro Valley: Safest City in Arizona

"In June, the Town of Oro Valley was ranked #1 of “Safest Places in Arizona 2022” by Elite Personal Finance. The website extracted the latest data from the FBI crime statistics in the United States to make its determination. OVPD is proud of this award, as it recognizes our dedication to fight crime and enhance the quality of life in Oro Valley." (Source: OVPD Crimefighter-November 2022)

Oro Valley is ranked safest city in Arizona

On December 6th, the Town of Oro Valley published the following Media Release:

Oro Valley is ranked safest city in Arizona

Oro Valley, Arizona (December 6, 2017) – According to recent rankings released by Safe Home, the Town of Oro Valley has been named 2017 Safest City in Arizona, based on a population of at least 38,000. Additionally, the Town ranks in the 25th percentile nationwide for safest cities. Rankings are based primarily on crime reports, U.S. Census data, and other statistics such as police officer ratio and demographics.

This prompted one of our readers to send us the following email:

No one at Town Hall will ever be willing to admit this but, the primary reasons that the town is statistically safe (from a criminal standpoint) are:

• Oro Valley is not a tourist draw
• It is not on a tourist route
• Oro Valley does not have an entertainment district (e.g. bars, strip joints)
• It is not a well-known location
• Tucson itself is the crime draw
• Crime in a given jurisdiction is nearly entirely derived from the caliber of individuals residing there, followed by home ownership rates (versus transient renters), followed by business sector participation rates.

Another LOVE reader submitted these thoughts:

There is much more to police work and the police department than what is revealed in the FBI crime reports. Additionally, they used FBI reports from 2015 to conclude that Oro Valley was the safest city in 2017.

Additional Reading

The following links are worth reading if you want to understand the perils of relying upon crime rates:

Read the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics: Their Proper Use HERE
Read the FBI Uniform Crime Report Handbook HERE

LOVE asks that you keep all of this in mind whenever the mayor and council attempt to take credit for Oro Valley being named the safest city in Arizona (and you know they will, especially since four of them are up for re-election in 2018).