El Mirage Police

El Mirage Traffic Restrictions April 8-15, 2026 elmirageaz.gov/279/Traffic-Re…

Throughout the year, police agencies in the West Valley collaborate in the West Valley Speed and Aggressive Driver Task Force to reduce speeding and modify driver behavior in various cities and known hotspots. Recently, the El Mirage Police Department hosted an event that included seven different agencies, resulting in the following data: Total Stops: 128 Speed Citations: 50 Criminal Speed Citations: 3 Warnings: 34 Distracted Driving Citations: 20 Other Citations: 34 This initiative aims to enhance road safety and encourage responsible driving habits.

It’s National Property and Evidence Appreciation Week! We would like to recognize our Property & Evidence Technicians, Jason Michael and Evan Rosenthal, who play a vital role in pursuing justice. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to process, store, and safeguard thousands of items entered as evidence in various cases. The integrity of these items is essential for prosecution and for protecting victims. Their critical contributions and attention to detail do not go unnoticed.

Sexual Violence affects people of every age, gender, and background, and no one should have to face it alone. This month, our department stands with survivors, honors their strength, and reaffirms our commitment to prevention, support, and justice. Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. We encourage our community to learn the warning signs, support survivors without judgment, and speak up when something doesn’t feel right. If you wish to report an incident or need local resources, please contact our department’s Victims’ Advocates at 623-500-3090. Our officers and victim advocates are here to listen, support, and help.

El Mirage Traffic Restrictions April 1-8, 2026 elmirageaz.gov/279/Traffic-Re…

MARCH - Unclaimed Property List Make an appointment to claim your property. A photo ID is required. Property not claimed by May 1, 2026, will be disposed of in accordance with the law. ‼️Background checks are not conducted by EMPD for anyone claiming property, except when releasing firearms. elmirageaz.gov/284/Property-E… CONTACT US: 623-500-3025 pdevidence@elmirageaz.gov HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.(excluding holidays) LOCATION: El Mirage Police Department 12401 W. Cinnabar Ave. El Mirage, AZ 85335

We are excited to welcome and introduce the newest officers of the El Mirage Police Department: Officer Alexia Ortega, Officer Eric Lucero, and Officer McKenzie Porhola. We also want to congratulate all the recent graduates of the Maricopa County Law Enforcement Training Academy Class 168. Over the next several months, our officers will train both in the office and in the field alongside senior officers to prepare for their solo assignments.

On June 19, 2023, near the 12900 block of 122ndavenue, Yandel Monge-Velez fired a handgun multiple times into an occupied parked vehicle, resulting in the death of the driver. At the time of the incident, Monge-Velez was a juvenile. He was arrested on the same day, booked into jail, and charged with homicide and other felony offenses. This case has recently been finalized in court, where Monge-Velez pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder, for which he was sentenced to 23 years in the Department of Corrections (DOC), and Armed Robbery, for which he received an additional 5 years in DOC.

Pictured is a brief overview of crime statistics for February 2026 compared to February 2025. For additional details and historical data, please visit our website. elmirageaz.gov/292/Crime-Stat…

As technology continues to advance, the online risks to our youth are increasing. This month, we would like to focus on the risks associated with Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI). It is important to educate yourself and your children about this technology and its potential dangers. ncmec.org/theissues/gene… The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) offers a range of valuable resources and educational materials on various topics. You can learn more at their website: ncmec.org/home

El Mirage Traffic Restrictions March 11-18, 2026 elmirageaz.gov/279/Traffic-Re…

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest holidays for alcohol consumption in the U.S. If you plan to celebrate in this way, please do so responsibly. For your safety and others in the community, make sure to call a friend or family member, or use a ride-sharing service, to get home safely if you choose to drink.

El Mirage Traffic Restrictions March 11-18, 2026 elmirageaz.gov/279/Traffic-Re…

FEBRUARY - Unclaimed Property List Make an appointment to claim your property. A photo ID is required. Property not claimed by April 10, 2026, will be disposed of in accordance with the law. ‼️Background checks are not conducted by EMPD for anyone claiming property, except when releasing firearms. elmirageaz.gov/284/Property-E… CONTACT US: 623-500-3025 pdevidence@elmirageaz.gov HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.(excluding holidays) LOCATION: El Mirage Police Department 12401 W. Cinnabar Ave. El Mirage, AZ 85335

EMPD Offers Exchange Zone! To better serve our community, the El Mirage Police Department has established a Safe Exchange Zone in front of the Police Department, next to the flag poles. This designated area is intended for visitation and custodial child exchanges. It is well lit at night and provides 24-hour video recording.

SAVE THE DATE The first Drug Take Back event of 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th. Start gathering all your unused or unwanted items now! We will be located in the city hall parking lot at 10000 N El Mirage Rd, El Mirage, AZ 85335 from 10 AM to 2 PM. We will accept tablets, capsules, patches, other prescription drugs, and liquid products such as cough syrup, but they should be sealed in their original containers. We will also accept vaping devices and cartridges, provided the lithium batteries are removed. Please note that we will NOT accept syringes, sharps, or illicit drugs. For more information, visit dea.gov/takebackday Reminder: We also have a secure drop box in EMPD's front vestibule, open 24/7 for your convenience.

El Mirage Traffic Restrictions February 18-25, 2026 elmirageaz.gov/279/Traffic-Re…

Pictured is a brief overview of crime statistics for January 2026 compared to January 2025. For additional details and historical data, please visit our website. elmirageaz.gov/292/Crime-Stat…

Advanced technology helps officers respond faster and keep our community safe. In June 2025, a Flock Raven gunshot alert enabled EMPD officers to respond quickly, even before 911 calls were received. This activation system enabled officers to locate a shooting victim, secure critical evidence, and begin the investigation as quickly as possible while also searching for the fleeing suspect. Our Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) and Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) worked seamlessly together on this incident, recovering the firearm and arresting the suspect approximately 12 hours later. This year, Devon White pled guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, receiving a 4.5-year prison sentence. Tools like Raven give officers the real-time information they need to act quickly and protect lives within our community.

El Mirage Police Department Property & Evidence Annual Report – 2025 📊 Here’s a snapshot of what the El Mirage Police Department’s Property & Evidence Unit handled in 2025. In total, 18,715 items are secured in our Property and Evidence warehouse. 🔫 Weapons Seized: 99 total • 63 Evidence • 4 Found Property • 32 Safekeeping 🧪 Drug-Related Items: 429 total • 133 Listed as Fentanyl • 121 Listed as Methamphetamine • 175 Miscellaneous drug items 💊 Front Lobby Drug Box: • 67 pounds of miscellaneous pills turned in for safe destruction 📦 Property & Evidence Activity: • 2,790 items taken in • 2,618 items out 🩸 Blood Kits Submitted: 67 🚲 Bicycles Submitted: 58 These numbers reflect our continued commitment to public safety, accountability, and responsible evidence management.