2006 DPS Annual Report - Arizona Department of Public Safety

Highway Patrol
Division
Arizona fires becoming an annual detail for the Highway Patrol personnel
During the first month of FY 2006, DPS Lt. Hegarty commanded an operation in preparation to close I-17
due to the Cave Creek Complex fire. Twenty-five DPS officers, along with ADOT ALERT teams, were
deployed to positions along I-17 from Anthem to Cordes Junction with orders to close I-17 upon encroachment
of the fire. While a closure was never required, the operation went well thanks to coordination of
Highway Patrol Division, CVEB, Rick Knight of CORE, ADOT and the Peoria Police Department.
During the latter part of FY 2006, Northern Patrol, District Two attended a tabletop exercise with the
National Park Service and Coconino County. The exercise rehearsed evacuation plans in the event of a fire
at the Grand Canyon.
Just prior to the end of FY 2006, Northern Patrol, District 2 officers, along with Commander McCance,
Sgt. Coryell and Wigman and, Lt. Gerard assisted with a forest fire within the city limits of Flagstaff on the
west end of town. The fire started near I-40 and quickly progressed in high winds toward several housing
areas. Officers assisted with traffic control, roadblocks and with evacuations.
Highway Patrol personnel help keep immigration marches secure and safe
On May 1 of FY 2006, response teams from Northern Patrol assisted the Bullhead City Police Department
with an immigration protest. The event drew approximately 1,000
protestors who marched 1.5 miles from River Gardens to SR 95 and
Marina where they held a rally. After the rally, 400-500 of the protestors
marched onto SR 95 blocking traffic. The Bullhead City PD requested
that DPS CETF teams respond to the area. Units traveled to
the area in “Field Force” formation and the protestors cleared the highway
onto a nearby parking lot. A few incidents were reported of protestors
throwing objects at passing vehicles along the route. Bullhead
City PD is reviewing the video tapes of the protest for possible criminal
charges.
On April 10 of FY 2006, A Unified Command Post was located at 3 rd
Avenue and Moreland (Margaret T. Hance Park). Agencies represented were, DPS, Phoenix PD, Capitol
PD and Phoenix Fire Department. DPS was responsible to ensure the safety of the motoring public on the
Phoenix metropolitan freeway system and to work in a collaborative
effort with the Capitol Police to ensure the safety of all personnel and
property within the State Capitol complex. In addition, DPS assisted
the State Fair Grounds Security to ensure the safety of life and property
while on state property. Manpower deployment was at the freeway
system within the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Off-duty officers supplemented
the normal contingent of Highway Patrol personnel. At the
Fairgrounds, DPS had approximately 80 uniformed officers and 10-12
plain-clothed detectives. At the State Capitol, there were approximately
100 DPS uniformed officers along with an additional eight uniformed
officers to provide security at the Senate and House of Representatives
buildings. Well over 100,000 marchers participated in this event.
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