Horrific BUS STOP CRIMES on Children, Disabled and Visitors; Costs Up, Accountability Down: A Critical Look at Tucson and Pima County Plans

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The Tucson Crime Free Coalition (TCFC) has become one of Tucson’s leading advocacy groups, thanks to our engaged membership and a newsletter readership of over 8,000 people. Our successes are a result of grassroots support. We greatly appreciate the generosity of our members who have become donors!

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MEMBER ALERT: PROPERTY CRIME AND LIABILITY GROWING

This week, TCFC members have raised new and pressing concerns. In the same breath that the City of Tucson has asked property owners to clean up their lots—a reasonable and necessary request—several members have reported crime and drug activity spilling over from City-owned properties onto private land. This contradiction has led to growing frustration, along with questions about legal recourse under Proposition 312.

Below is an excerpt from one email sent to City of Tucson officials:

“On May 1, 2025, I was called by my tenant to respond to yet another fire set by trespassers. I arrived to find an active blaze along the property line shared with the City’s building. I called the Tucson Fire Department, who responded within 15 minutes and extinguished the fire. I also called Tucson Police at approximately 2:30 PM requesting backup for the trespassers. They did not arrive until 9:30 PM—a seven-hour delay during which the situation could have easily escalated further. I understand that we are woefully understaffed to deal with property crime.

This is not just frustrating—it’s dangerous. The City is failing its citizens, and the lack of leadership in resolving this crisis is both irresponsible and negligent. The more people I speak with about these issues, the more I discover just how common they are—rampant theft, vandalism, trespassing, and fire risks. What’s most disturbing is that many property owners and business operators have already given up hope, convinced that the City’s leadership will do nothing to change the status quo. That sentiment is absolutely devastating to hear—and it reflects a complete breakdown in public confidence that should alarm every official in City Hall.”

Another TCFC member, who owns a long-standing family-run car lot, reported that several of their vehicles were recently vandalized, with windshields shattered by unknown individuals. The business, located in a once-thriving corridor, is now plagued by persistent nuisance crimes.

What many residents do not realize is that even insured damages can carry significant costs. Multiple claims can lead to increased premiums or loss of insurability altogether—a devastating blow to small business owners already operating on thin margins. Once again, the actions of a relatively small population of chronic offenders are having widespread impacts on Tucson's quality of life.

Meanwhile, the City's request for residents to "clean up Tucson" rings hollow as many of our public washes remain in a state of disorder and neglect.

We continue to wait for the Mayor and Council to take decisive action by voting on a camping ban in parks and washes. While we applaud the multi-million dollar renovations underway at several City parks (which have also been recently vandalized), those investments will be meaningless if not protected by common-sense enforcement.

RECENT INCIDENTS OF CONCERN

   3 VIOLENT CRIMES including Rape associated with the FREE CRIME BUS

•              April 28^th - Middle school age girl attacked at Bus Stop by a Vagrant

https://www.kvoa.com/news/in-depth-tucson-bus-stop-attack-on-teen-sparks-community-safety-worries/article_ff94fa6d-cda3-4202-b5da-6abad324ae52.html

•              April 5^th – Jacob Couch Attacked at Bus Stop with a Hatchet, died April 17th

https://www.kvoa.com/news/murder-suspect-in-tucson-court-after-bus-stop-hatchet-attack/article_e25c93d3-4791-4011-be85-0380c9ae2dc9.html

•              March 30/31^st - Developmentally Disabled Kidnaps and Raped after exiting Sun Tran Bus

March 30^th/31th - Hunter Fredd Paddlety was arrested for raping, kidnapping and aggravated assault of a 25 year old woman who is developmentally disabled and operates as a 14 year old.

https://www.kold.com/2025/04/11/tucson-man-accused-raping-assaulting-developmentally-disabled-woman/

•              Fatal Shooting on Bike Path: A man was fatally shot on the Chuck Huckleberry Loop. A suspect has been arrested. Multiple TCFC members noted that the media consistently refers to it simply as the "bike path," omitting its full name. This stretch, which is a national tourism draw, is now marred by rising crime.

•              Rillito River Park Trail Homicide: Tucson Police arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of Armando Betancourt-Audia, which occurred on April 25.

•              Child Exploitation Arrest: A 38-year-old man was arrested after traveling from Phoenix to Tucson to meet a 14-year-old girl he had solicited online for sex. The suspect was intercepted before the meeting occurred.

A sincere thank you goes to our first responders—especially our officers at Tucson Police Department—who are working tirelessly despite limited resources. Your work is seen and appreciated.

Buckle up, this newsletter is about to get really long. TCFC is striving to keep our members informed. 

Expanding Our Focus

While TCFC began by addressing the intersecting crises of substance use and crime, our mission now encompasses broader issues affecting Tucson’s long-term prosperity. Leading economists agree that thriving communities require strong education systems, modern infrastructure, and competitive tax and regulatory environments. TCFC adds a fourth essential ingredient: a safe community.

Many of the proposals now emerging from the City of Tucson and Pima County are well-intentioned but will ultimately increase costs for taxpayers. Although TCFC is not categorically opposed to tax increases—particularly when tied to transparent investments with measurable returns—we are deeply concerned by the lack of clarity in many proposals. Tucson’s growth has slowed, and our region faces a shrinking tax base and rising poverty. This is not a sustainable path forward.

PIMA COUNTY TOPICS AND ISSUES

View the Pima County Board Of Supervisors Meeting Agenda Here:

https://pima.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1235762&GUID=2B50B8BA-EF52-4A2A-8A68-8D6D74F73669

Tucson’s Differential Water Rates Resurface

Despite a court ruling in 2023 that declared Tucson’s differential water rates for unincorporated Pima County residents unjustified, the issue is back on the table. At its May 6, 2025 meeting, the Pima County Board of Supervisors addressed the ongoing dispute as unfinished business and reaffirmed its opposition by considering Resolution No. 2025-10, which supports equal water rates for all Tucson Water customers.

In 2021, the City of Tucson enacted Ordinance 11881, which imposed higher rates on water customers living outside city limits—primarily in unincorporated Pima County. The County sued, and a judge later ruled the rate hike was unconstitutional. However, Tucson has now proposed a new differential rate structure, suggesting increases between 16% and 23% for unincorporated customers.

A public hearing on these new rates is scheduled for June 17, 2025, with implementation possible as early as August. The County continues to argue that this tiered pricing unfairly targets residents based solely on jurisdiction, despite their reliance on the same water infrastructure and services.

The Tucson Crime Free Coalition believes these rate increases are unjust, punitive, and a direct attack on Pima County residents. Chair Scott and the Board of Supervisors must stand firm and fight to protect the rights and wallets of the people they were elected to serve. This is a moment for leadership, not concession.

ACTION ITEM:

Join TCFC by calling or emailing the Pima County Supervisors and tell them to fight against the City of Tucson’s unjust differential water rates.

PIMA PROSPERS 2025

 is Pima County’s updated 10-year comprehensive plan, aiming to guide future development and land use decisions. It emphasizes goals such as increasing housing supply, conserving water resources, embracing energy efficiency, and adapting to climate change.

Read the plan here: PIMA PROSPERS PLAN

While the plan sets forth ambitious objectives, it lacks detailed funding mechanisms for its initiatives. This absence of clear financial strategies raises concerns about potential increases in taxes or fees to support the proposed programs. For instance, the county's proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes a 1.9% increase over the current year and suggests possible property tax hikes to maintain critical programs and services.

Residents should be aware that implementing the initiatives outlined in Pima Prospers 2025 may lead to higher financial obligations, especially in the context of a slowing population growth and a shrinking tax base. Engaging in the public comment period, which is open until June 15, 2025, provides an opportunity for taxpayers to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the plan's potential impact on their finances.

Shrinking Tax Base, Rising Costs: A Warning Sign for Pima County

Pima County is facing a fiscal crossroads. While the population growth rate has slowed significantly—from 26% in the 1990s to just 6% between 2010 and 2020—the cost of government is accelerating. A shrinking or stagnant tax base means fewer new dollars are coming in from property and sales taxes, even as demands on public services continue to grow.

At the same time, Pima Prospers 2025 and other county initiatives call for the expansion of high-cost social programs such as affordable housing subsidies, neighborhood services, public health clinics, food access efforts, and climate resilience projects. These are recurring and often escalating obligations that lack clear, long-term funding strategies.

Without new growth or substantial external funding, these expanding services put pressure on the general fund—forcing leaders to consider tax increases, new fees, or cutbacks to core services like roads, public safety, and infrastructure.

In short: Pima County risks asking more of taxpayers while delivering less on the essentials.

Budget Constraints Associated with Pima Prospers

1.         Slowing Growth = Less Revenue

◦        Population growth fell from 26% (1990s) to 6% (2010–2020).

◦        Revenue from property and sales tax under pressure.

2.         Dispersed Development

◦        Only 3% of county land is readily developable.

◦        Infrastructure expansion into rural zones is costly and inefficient.

3.         No Costed Plan

◦        Ambitious goals, but the plan lacks implementation budgets or funding sources.

4.         Unreliable Grant Funding

◦        Key initiatives rely on federal/state grants (e.g., REPI, CAP).

◦        Taxpayers may absorb costs if grants fall through.

5.         Oversight Limitations

◦        2015 plan had 700+ tasks, many outside Development Services’ control.

◦        New plan reduces scope, but enforcement and accountability are still limited.

Board Considers New Property Tax for Affordable Housing

At its May 6, 2025 meeting, the Pima County Board of Supervisors reviewed Policy D 22.17: "General Fund, Three Cents for Affordable Housing." The proposal would dedicate an additional three cents per $100 of assessed property value from the General Fund, raising an estimated $207 million over 10 years to fund affordable housing projects and homelessness prevention.

This investment would target families earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income (currently $48,720 for a family of four), addressing a reported shortfall of over 38,000 housing units countywide.

TCFC's Position: Housing Without Higher Taxes

There are smarter, taxpayer-friendly solutions to address our housing shortage. Pima County can take meaningful action without raising property taxes by:

1.         Streamlining Permitting and Rezoning

◦        Cut red tape and fast-track projects in already-zoned urban areas to promote infill development.

◦        Prioritize mixed-use and multi-family housing where infrastructure already exists.

2.         Unlocking County-Owned Land

◦        Lease or sell surplus public land to responsible developers with requirements for workforce housing.

3.         Public-Private Partnerships

◦        Incentivize builders through regulatory relief and density bonuses — not public subsidies.

4.         Adaptive Reuse

◦        Encourage the conversion of vacant commercial and government buildings into housing units.

5.         Remove Barriers to ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)

◦        Simplify approval processes for homeowners who want to build backyard or garage units.

 

Pima County must focus on solutions that increase inventory without deepening the financial burden on working families.

TCFC calls on Chair Scott and the Board of Supervisors to protect taxpayers and prioritize reform over revenue. Affordable housing should not come at the cost of affordability itself.

CITY OF TUCSON TOPICS AND ISSUES

View The City Of Tucson Mayor and Council Meeting Here:  https://tucsonaz.hylandcloud.com/221agendaonline/

Ward 5 Council Appointment

Following the retirement of longtime Councilmember Richard Fimbres on April 30, the Tucson City Council will appoint an interim representative for Ward 5 at its May 6 meeting. The appointed councilmember will serve through the remainder of the term, which ends in December 2025.

Five eligible applicants have submitted their names for consideration:

•              John Alan Adkisson – Retired educator and community volunteer

•              David Garcia – Small business owner and former neighborhood association president

•              Gabriel Holguin – Veteran and public safety advocate

•              Robert Jaramillo – Former TUSD board member and social services coordinator

•              Rocque Perez II – Local nonprofit executive and housing policy advocate

Each candidate will have an opportunity to present their qualifications during the council session. The decision will shape the direction of Ward 5 as the City begins finalizing its FY 2026 budget and broader policy agenda.

More details can be found here.

Slower Speeds Ahead? City Proposes Widespread Speed Limit Reductions

At its May 6, 2025 meeting, the Tucson City Council will vote on a proposal to reduce speed limits on multiple major roads across the city. The changes, recommended by the Department of Transportation and Mobility, would affect key corridors heavily used by working commuters, delivery drivers, and residents traveling long distances across town.

If passed, this plan will slow traffic even further on already congested routes.

Proposed speed limit reductions include:

•              First Avenue: From 45 mph to 35 mph north of Wetmore, and from 40 mph to 30 mph south of Wetmore

•              Ft. Lowell Road: From 40 mph to 30 mph between Oracle and First Avenue

•              Silverbell Road: From 45 mph to 40 mph and from 40 mph to 35 mph, depending on the segment

•              Tucson Boulevard, Roger Road, Calle Santa Cruz, Bilby Road, and others would also see similar 5–10 mph drops

City officials say the changes are part of their 5-Year Safety Plan and Vision Zero goals, but many motorists are concerned that reducing speeds across these arterial roads will increase commute times, frustrate drivers, and add to traffic congestion without addressing the real causes of accidents.

Working families, commuters, and businesses depend on a transportation system that flows — not one that crawls. Instead of slowing everyone down, the City should focus on enforcing existing traffic laws, improving road maintenance, and targeting dangerous intersections, not penalizing every driver with across-the-board speed reductions.

This appears to be yet another attempt on behalf of Mayor and Council to strong arm drivers into using mass transit. It has become clear that the plan for the City of Tucson, one that is misguided under the guise of saving the environment, is to make the city of Tucson as inconvenient as possible to own a car.

HAUS Program: Rental Subsidies Under Review

A new pilot program put forward by Councilmember Paul Cunningham, called HAUS (Housing Alternatives for Underserved) is being considered to help working residents who are routinely denied housing due to low credit or high move-in costs.

Key details of the pilot program:

•              Provides up to $2,500 per qualifying tenant for move-in expenses (deposits, rent, utilities, etc.)

•              Offers landlords up to $2,500 to offset damage or loss not covered by security deposits

•              Requires landlords to limit rent hikes in the second year to CPI + 5%

•              Requires tenants to undergo financial training and be referred through housing services

•              Pilot funding: $100,000 to serve 20 tenants

TCFC is requesting further transparency on how this program will be funded and whether it will divert resources from core services. Any new initiative must include clear metrics for success and a sustainable funding strategy.

Final Thoughts

TCFC remains committed to advocating for public safety, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. As Tucson and Pima County propose new taxes and expanded programs, residents deserve accountability and a clear understanding of how these policies will affect daily life.

We will continue to keep you informed and engaged. Together, we can work toward a safer, stronger Tucson.