Over the past year anecdotal evidence from media reports has suggested disproportionate levels of crime and violence occurring at Circle K stores in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Criminal events depicted by the media often took the form of individuals engaging in some type of minor criminal activity at a Circle K, and the events spiraling out of control. As a consequence of these observations, and subsequent federally sponsored research examining problem places in Glendale, Arizona, faculty and staff from the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety at Arizona State University reached out to several valley police departments and requested official data to more systematically examine this potential problem. This report presents our findings and our recommendations.

As part of the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Smart Policing Initiative, the Glendale Police Department and the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety at Arizona State University found that convenience stores -- particularly Circle K's -- disproportionately contributed to crime and disorder in the city of Glendale. The Center reached out to other law enforcement agencies in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and in June 2011, they authored a report based on 2010 data from four cities: Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, and Tempe. The 2010 report revealed that, when compared to other convenience stores Circle K’s, were disproportionately responsible for crime and disorder, regardless of their neighborhood or city.

It is likely that urban growth eventually will occur along Castle Hot Springs Road, which will present residents and stakeholders with important changes to their lifestyles. Mitigating the potential impacts of urban growth will continue to be a high priority for Maricopa County. Because these guidelines reflect the recommendations of residents and other stakeholders, they provide a unique opportunity for these residents and stakeholders to participate in the future growth and development of their area.

It is likely that urban growth eventually will occur along State Route 74, which will present residents and stakeholders with important changes to their lifestyles. Mitigating the potential impacts of urban growth will continue to be a high priority for Maricopa County. Because these guidelines reflect the recommendations of residents and other stakeholders, they provide a unique opportunity for these residents and stakeholders to participate in the future growth and development of their area.

It is likely that urban growth will occur along Olive Avenue, which will present residents and stakeholders with important changes. Mitigating the potential impacts of these changes will continue to be a high priority for Maricopa County. Because these guidelines reflect the recommendations of residents and other stakeholders, they provide a unique opportunity for these residents and stakeholders to participate in the future growth and development of their area.

It is likely that urban growth is occurring and will occur along the McMicken Dam Scenic Corridor, which will present residents and stakeholders with important changes. Mitigating the potential impacts of these changes will continue to be a high priority for Maricopa County. Because these guidelines reflect the recommendations of residents and other stakeholders, they provide a unique opportunity for these residents and stakeholders to participate in the future growth and development of their area.

The Old U.S. Highway 80 Area Plan is an entirely new plan which removes portions of the State Route 85 Area Plan and the Tonopah/Arlington Area Plan. It is important to note that this Plan is not a document that represents final buildout as many municipal general plans typically do. Rather, it prepares for and accommodates growth over the next ten to fifteen years, but will be reexamined and updated as necessary to reflect current conditions and changes. While not a complete solution, the Plan helps address the effects of growth and development by enhancing cooperation between government agencies, citizens, and other affected interests, and by considering regional implications.

It is important to note that the Rio Verde Foothills Area Plan is not a document that represents ultimate buildout as many municipal general plans typically do. Rather, it prepares for and accommodates growth over the next ten to fifteen years, but will be reexamined and updated periodically to reflect current conditions and changes. While not a complete solution, the Rio Verde Foothills Area Plan helps address the effects of growth and development by enhancing cooperation between government agencies, citizens, and other affected interests, and by considering regional implications.