Phoenix News Brief: Friday, May 29 Updates
A series of significant developments across the Valley have emerged, ranging from legal actions against law enforcement and controversies within school district leadership to new city enforcement measures and a remarkable youth achievement in professional sports.
Buckeye Police Officer Indicted Following Use-of-Force Investigation
Officer Carri Carrico of the Buckeye Police Department has been placed on unpaid leave following a grand jury indictment. The charges involve aggravated assault stemming from two separate use-of-force incidents involving individuals who were in police custody.
Buckeye Police Chief Robert Sanders confirmed the charges in a statement released Thursday. Sanders noted that he had requested an independent criminal investigation by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office into the incidents back in January.
“I will always stand firm in supporting the men and women of the Buckeye Police Department who honorably serve this community and dedicate their lives to helping people,” Sanders stated. “When an officer betrays community trust and Department values, I have a duty to pursue the facts and take action that is fair and just.”
Specific details regarding the two incidents have not yet been made public. The legal proceedings may now move toward trial to determine the officer’s liability in these cases.
Backlash Grows Over DVUSD Board Member’s Gesture
The Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) is facing significant community outrage after Governing Board Member Kim Fisher made a Nazi salute and exclamation during a public meeting on Tuesday. The gesture occurred as an apparent expression of frustration toward the Board President.
The Deer Valley Education Association is now calling for Fisher’s resignation. Kelley Fisher, the association’s president and no relation to the board member, described the gesture as deeply offensive.
“When you bring in something like that and try to excuse it away, you’re talking about a situation in our history that caused harm to millions of people,” Kelley Fisher said. She added that the incident brings “a lot of trauma” and that the district is now dealing with the repercussions among staff, students, and families.
Phoenix Speed Cameras Issue Thousands of Citations
Phoenix has officially transitioned from a warning phase to active enforcement with its new speed camera system. In the first month of enforcement, nearly 7,900 citations were mailed to drivers across the city’s 17 camera locations.
The rollout included a 30-day grace period where drivers received warnings instead of fines. One driver, Tige Nagel, reported receiving a warning for travelling 46 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone.
While the system remains a point of debate, some business owners along 7th Street report that they have already observed changes in driver behavior since the cameras became active.
Gilbert Eighth Grader Joins Professional Racing
Jensen Mechelke, a 14-year-old student at ASU Prep Digital, has achieved a rare milestone by earning his International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) professional racing licence on his 14th birthday.
Mechelke’s journey began at age three with racing games on an Xbox and progressed to national kart competitions by age 10. He now balances his schoolwork with simulator practice, training sessions, and travel to races in California, Florida, and Georgia.
The young athlete is currently preparing for his debut with the IMSA MX-5 Cup Series and is scheduled to compete at the Virginia International Raceway in August.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges is Officer Carri Carrico facing?
Officer Carrico is facing aggravated assault charges related to two separate use-of-force incidents involving individuals in custody.
Why is the Deer Valley Education Association calling for Kim Fisher to resign?
The association is calling for her resignation after she made a Nazi salute and exclamation during a public Governing Board meeting, which community members and teachers described as deeply offensive and traumatic.
How many speed cameras are currently active in Phoenix?
There are 17 speed cameras placed across Phoenix streets.
Do you believe speed enforcement cameras are an effective way to change driver behavior in urban areas?