Mark Garrity Retires

After 34 years of unwavering dedication and service to our community, we are thrilled to announce the retirement of our esteemed colleague, Mark! It's with both sadness and joy that we bid farewell to a true legend in the world of law enforcement.

Mark's remarkable journey includes an impressive 14 years with the Marple Township Police and 20 years with the Town of Paradise Valley Police Department. Throughout his distinguished career, Mark has exhibited exceptional commitment and leadership qualities that have left an indelible mark on our department.

Mark, who retired as a Corporal, has been a pillar of strength in our team. Additionally, he served as our Firearms instructor, training all our officers throughout his time here. Mark's presence and dedication filled many roles over the years, and we now face the challenge of filling some very big shoes.

Beyond his law enforcement career, Mark's passion for crafting holsters for firearms has shown us a side project that truly showcases his skill and creativity. As he embarks on this exciting new chapter of his life, we have no doubt he will excel in all his endeavors.

Retirement is the opportunity to embrace new adventures and spend more quality time with loved ones. Mark has earned every moment of this well-deserved retirement, and we couldn't be happier for him.

Mark, you will be missed by all of us. Your dedication, guidance, and unwavering support have made a significant impact on our department, and for that, we are forever grateful.

As we celebrate your retirement, let us remember that actions speak louder than words. Mark's example has set a standard of excellence that we can only hope to live up to. May we continue to uphold the values and principles you've instilled in all of us.

Mark, your legacy will continue to inspire us, and your presence will be deeply missed. Please remember, you will always have a place in our hearts and in the Town of Paradise Valley. If you ever find yourself in our town, don't hesitate to say hi—you'll always be part of our extended family.

New Pet Waste Stations on Town Hall Campus

This week the Public Works Department has installed two new pet waste stations on the Town Hall campus. It is a positive step in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring a pleasant environment for everyone.

The pet waste stations have been placed at both the west and east ends of the reflection path. These stations are meant for disposing of pet waste only, and they are stocked with bags to pick up after your pets. It is essential to dispose of the pet waste bags only in the pet waste stations' receptacles. This helps keep the campus clean and prevents litter.

Public Works staff will empty the receptacles and restock them with pet waste bags every week. This ensures that the stations remain functional.

Please remember that responsible pet ownership and proper waste disposal contributes to a more enjoyable environment for all residents, staff, and their furry companions.

Citizens Portal

A weekly notice released in late September shared information about a significant Town project to improve Paradise Valley’s website and implement a Citizen Portal for electronic applications and permit submittals. This project also allows staff to communicate with applicants through the portal, enhancing record-keeping and communication capabilities.

Phase 1, released on September 26, 2023, paved the way for subsequent phases by organizing and updating the PDFs contained on the “Permit and Handouts” webpage. These PDFs are currently available for use but will be cycled out when the Citizen Portal becomes fully functional.

Phase 2: After organizing the PDF applications, it was time to activate some of those to the portal for electronic submittal. As of Monday, October 16, 2023, Phase 2 is LIVE! This phase added eight building applications to the portal, and those applications can be utilized today.

Applications available today for electronic submittal include the following:

Banner Permit
Building Permit
Demolition Permit
Electrical Permit
Fence/Site Walls Permit
Mechanical Permit
Plumbing Permit
Pool/Spa Permit

Although Town Staff expects Phase 3 to be ready in November, all future ‘LIVE’ dates for additional phases of the Citizen Portal project will remain flexible to provide enough time for testing. We will continue to announce updates on the project through the Town Manager’s Weekly notices. As always, your patience is appreciated while we work toward full implementation of the Citizen Portal.

For additional information you may visit the Town’s website at ParadiseValleyAZ.gov or click the hyperlink below to directly access the Town of Paradise Valley’s Citizen Portal.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/PARADISEVLY/Default.aspx

Paradise Valley Police Department's

Newest Officer

Exciting News from Paradise Valley Police Department!

We are thrilled to announce an historic milestone for our Town of Paradise Valley Police Department – please join us in congratulating and welcoming Officer Roman Butticci!

Officer Butticci's academy graduation was attended by members of his family, as well as members of his new family here in Paradise Valley.

Roman has etched his name in the annals of our department's history as our first recruit to complete the academy. This achievement is especially noteworthy because we are renowned as a lateral-only department. His dedication, commitment, and hard work have truly set a new standard.

A true Arizona native, Roman hails from the vibrant city of Peoria and has always had a deep love for the outdoors and sports. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the beauty of nature and engaging in various sports activities.

What drew Roman to Paradise Valley Police Department, you ask? It's the incredible camaraderie within the department that fosters a positive and supportive work environment. He is genuinely excited about the opportunity to serve our wonderful community and is eager to meet all the residents of our town.

So, next time you're out and about and you spot Officer Roman Butticci on the road, please take a moment to congratulate him on this remarkable achievement! Let's give him the warmest welcome as he embarks on this significant journey of serving and protecting our community.

Blue Wednesday

This Wednesday, something special happened in our community as our newest recruit made their debut appearance at the local school's "Blue Wednesday" event! It was a day filled with fun, smiles, and an opportunity for the kids to get up close and personal with a real-life police officer.

Our recruit had a fantastic time engaging with the young students, sharing stories, and answering all their curious questions about the life and responsibilities of a police officer. From explaining the importance of law enforcement to discussing the occasional 'tattle-tale' reports from the kids' parents, it was an interactive and enlightening experience for everyone involved.

The highlight of the day was when our recruit handed out stickers, spreading a little extra joy to the young minds and brightening up their Wednesday. The joy and excitement on the children's faces were priceless, and it reinforced the positive bond between our police force and the community we proudly serve.

We want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the wonderful relationship we share with our town. It's not just about enforcing the law; it's about building connections, fostering trust, and creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Moments like these remind us of the power of community engagement and the role we play in shaping young minds. As we continue to serve and protect, we also aim to inspire and support the next generation, showing them that police officers are not just here to enforce rules, but also to be friends, mentors, and positive role models.

Thank you to the school and all the students who participated in our Blue Wednesday event. We look forward to many more memorable moments like this as we grow together as a community.

Halloween Recycling Tip

from Waste Management

Americans reportedly spend upwards of $3 billion on Halloween candy. That means a lot of candy wrapper waste.

Please remember, candy wrappers belong in the trash not the recycling bin. The mixed material used to make these small flexible packages help keep the sweets inside fresh but render the wrappers not fit to recycle.