Peter Howell Neighborhood Association

Speedway and Alvernon Problems

Monday June 8, leaders from the neighborhoods surrounding Speedway and Alvernon met at the bus shelters in that location with TPD officers, the Deputy Director of Transportation and Mobility, the Sun Tran Transit administrator, Director of Strategic Projects, and the Homeless Protocol Coordinator.

Discussion was broad ranging about the increase in crime in the area, open drug use, and unhoused individuals taking over the bus stops so that passengers cannot use them, etc. The discussion was encouraging and multiple solutions aligned with the City of Tucson’s Safe City Initiative were presented and are in the process of being implemented, albeit slowly due to delayed deliveries.

During our meeting, TPD Lieutenants Brian Corcoran and Rick Gradilla stressed a very simple, but extremely important thing that we, as citizens, can do — something that TPD NEEDS us to do. They requested the public to . .

Report every crime no matter how minor.

TPD recognizes that many crimes are not reported for different reasons – the victim feels it is too insignificant to bother police with or the victim knows the crime will be low priority and, with the officer shortage, it might be hours or even days before an officer responds. Many, many crimes go unreported.

REASONS TO REPORT ALL CRIMES:

Reporting crimes gives a more accurate, clear picture of what crime and disorder is happening where in the City. If crimes are not reported, it presents a false picture of an area.
911 calls and Police event and incident reports are taken into consideration when TPD is determining the number of officers and resources to deploy in an area.
All police incident reports, regardless of how they are filed, are entered into a data base. TPD continuously analyzes the information to look for patterns and stress indicators in an area. For instance, a Lieutenant told us once that a rise in petty theft from front yards can be a sign of a drug dealer in the neighborhood -- his clientele stealing minor, easy-to-take items to sell as they travel to and from his place.

HOW TO REPORT A CRIME:


Call 911.
Call 311 -- an easy and quick way to report a crime and one of the ways to reduce pressures on 911.
File a Non-emergency police report online: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Police/File-Non-Emergency-Police-Report-Online
Call or stop by the Hardesty Substation on Alvernon and 22nd.

No matter how insignificant, please report crimes to police.

– Thanks to Meg Johnson of Garden District NA for the above report

Peter Howell Police Events and Incidents List

Columbus Boulevard Modernization

The Columbus Boulevard Modernization Project will repave Columbus Boulevard from Fort Lowell Rd to Broadway Blvd and will improve safety by providing:

- Complete and accessible sidewalks on both sides of the street
 -Continuous street lighting
- Enhanced bike lanes
- Intersection improvements

The project is funded by a combination of the voter-approved Proposition 411 Safe Streets program and funds set aside by Mayor and Council to improve the pavement on Tucson’s Collector Streets.

IF YOU TRAVEL ON OR IF YOU LIVE ALONG COLUMBUS, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD:

The Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) is accepting feedback and may make alterations to the plans for the “Modernization” of Columbus. The plans are 60% complete, but DTM assures us that they are listening to feedback and the plans are not finalized yet.

Changes to Columbus:

- The Center Turn Lane will be eliminated on most of Columbus from Grant to Broadway, except for a one block section in front of Wright Elementary.
- Shielded, LED street lights will be added on the east side of Columbus. 
- The black squares on the map are the proposed locations for the street lights.
- The bike lanes will be widened with a buffer between bikes and vehicles.
- The speed humps on Columbus between Speedway and Fifth WILL be removed.
- Sidewalks will be added in the areas of Columbus that do not currently have them and ADA ramps upgraded as needed.

These improvements are NOT part of RTA. They are funded by Prop 411. Construction plans for Columbus will not slow down Grant Rd. Construction on Columbus will not begin until Grant Rd RTA is complete. Columbus and Grant will NOT be a Michigan Left turn, but Alvernon and Grant will be. Construction on Columbus is scheduled to begin in LATE 2027.

DTM Project Manager, Liz Macias, requests neighborhood residents give feedback NOW before the Columbus plans are finalized.

You can email her by clicking the link below. She suggested if you have concerns about specific areas, you send her a photo and circle the area you are commenting on.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS AND/OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLANS FOR COLUMBUS

Alvernon Park

Problems with inappropriate use of the park are being closely monitored by concerned neighbors. Identified problems are discussed directly with law enforcement and others, as well as in the monthly Alvernon/5th St Crime Coalition meetings. Monitoring continues of park improvements.

*** As part of Operation Relay, Tucson Police Community Service Officer Justine.Chavez (Justine.Chavez@tucsonaz.gov) has been assigned to Alvernon Park as of October 2025. Please don’t hesitate to chat with or email Justine with your observations or concerns about behavior of individuals in or near the park. This direct connection among caring neighbors and the Tucson Police Department will go a long way toward assuring that our park is enjoyable and safe for all. Please copy any emails to phnaemail@gmail.com, to keep our association in the loop. ***

Park remodel archive is here.

Alvernon/5th St. Crime Coalition Meeting
DATE: Wednesday June 24, 2026 TIME: 6 PM
LOCATION: Ward 6 Office, 3202 E. 1st St.
– for online link, email phnaemail@gmail.com

Residents of neighborhoods in and around the area of Fifth and Alvernon, including Peter Howell, Miramonte, El Encanto, El Conquistador, Highland Vista, Swan Way Park, and Midway Village, seek to work with Ward VI, TPD, businesses, churches, and nearby neighborhoods to recognize, report, and prevent criminal activity in our neighborhoods. Speak directly with police officers. Hear what actions the police have taken and what criminal activity there has been in the past month in our neighborhoods. Help determine priorities for police to target.

Meetings are held every 4th Wednesday of the month at 6 PM. Your support is quite helpful and you are urged to attend. For information or if If you cannot attend but have concerns about suspicious activity in the neighborhood, send a detailed email to PHNA Board member Nancy Huff.

Meeting Ground Rules

Know Where To Throw – City of Tucson

Recycle Guide – Itemized composite from several sources

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Recycle containers (blue bins with no glass, plastic bags, styrofoam or batteries)
should be placed at the curb on: 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28, 10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/23, 12/7, 12/21/2026.

Peter Howell Neighborhood Brush and Bulky Dates: 2/2/26 and 8/3/26

Newsletters from Council Member Miranda Schubert and Ward 6

Newsletters from Council Member Kevin Dahl and Ward 3

Currently Adoptable Pets – Pima Animal Care Center

*Entries on this page may be borrowed from various sources with appreciation