Gilbert Police Chief Proposes $289.4 Million Safety Investment Plan

Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg recently presented to the town council six major capital projects, estimated to cost a total of $289.4 million, deemed necessary to maintain Gilbert's status as one of the safest municipalities in America. The projects, which currently lack designated funding sources, include the construction of an advocacy center, a crime lab, and expansions to public safety facilities.

The proposed advocacy center, budgeted at $56.8 million, aims to provide a collaborative space for various professionals involved in handling sensitive crimes such as sexual assault and domestic violence. It's designed to reduce trauma for victims and improve investigative efficiency and prosecution rates.

The crime lab, with an estimated cost of $81 million, is a project Chief Soelberg has advocated for years. He emphasized the importance of having local control over forensic evidence processing, citing the risks of relying on external labs like Mesa Police or the state police lab, which currently face backlogs and limitations.

The Public Safety Complex Expansion, priced at $41.6 million, addresses the need for additional space and facilities for central patrol and police administration, which have outgrown their current building.

A new San Tan Police Station, estimated at $92.4 million, is proposed to accommodate the increasing number of officers and lack of adequate workspace at the existing facility.

An additional $18.6 million is proposed for a Heritage District Police Community Office to support a growing bike patrol and provide a central location for public assistance and information.

Council members expressed concerns over the high costs of these projects, particularly questioning the expense of the new police station and the feasibility of the advocacy center’s third phase. They discussed the possibility of phasing the projects to spread out costs and explored alternative solutions, including private-public partnerships and utilizing existing commercial spaces.

Ostrich Festival Announces Yung Gravy as Headliner for Upcoming Event

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Steve LeVine Entertainment & Public Relations, has announced the headliner for the first weekend of the 34th annual Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival.

Set to take place at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler, the festival will be held over two weekends in March. Yung Gravy, a popular singer-songwriter, rapper, and actor, will headline the main stage on Friday, March 15. Known for his viral hit "Mr. Clean" in 2017, Yung Gravy has since achieved significant success, with his single "Betty" receiving platinum certification and reaching No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

His third full-length album, "Marvelous," was released in 2022, adding to his impressive record of over one billion streams and ten sold-out worldwide tours. In 2023, Yung Gravy was nominated for two iHeartRadio Awards and has collaborated with artists like Lil Wayne, Chief Keef, Juicy J, T-Pain, and the late Young Dolph.

The Ostrich Festival is a family-friendly event featuring a mix of national and local entertainment, stage shows, carnival rides, games, traditional festival food, and interactive activities suitable for all ages. Tickets for the festival are available for purchase, with prices starting at $20 for children aged 5 to 12, $30 for general adult admission, and $150 for VIP access. Entry is free for children four years and under. Additional headlining acts for the festival will be announced shortly.

Serious Multi-Car Accident in Gilbert Sends Five to Hospital

On Sunday afternoon, a significant multi-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of Germann and Higley roads in Gilbert, resulting in injuries to five individuals.

Gilbert police responded to the incident around 12:15 p.m. and discovered several vehicles involved in the crash. Among the injured, one person sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital along with four others. The severity of the injuries required hospitalization, highlighting the seriousness of the collision.

As a result of the accident, the intersection was closed off for an extended investigation period. Authorities advised drivers to find alternate routes to avoid the area, signaling a substantial disruption to local traffic.

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