Spotlight: Marana Police supports Special Olympics

If you chose to dine at the Texas Roadhouse in Marana on April 1, you might have been alarmed to see police vehicles swarming the parking lot. No criminal activity was to be seen here, however, as diners were treated to a different kind of police service: the food serving kind. 

Marana Police, Pima County Joint Task Force, Oro Valley Police, Marana Explorers, and Marana police volunteers gathered for their annual "Tip-A-Cop" event on Friday to support Southern Arizona Special Olympics. Marana officers handed out donation envelopes to diners and even helped keep glasses and bread baskets full. Representatives from Southern Arizona Special Olympics were also in attendance to speak to diners and thank them for their contributions. 

Southern Arizona Special Olympics provides kids with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to train and compete in state, national, or world-wide competitions at no cost. Marana Police Department began supporting Special Olympics over twenty years ago, and nine years ago began the Tip-A-Cop fundraising event at Texas Roadhouse. 

"This year, we raised about six thousand dollars," Sergeant Will Hess reported of the night's fundraising efforts. He has been actively involved with the event since its inception. 

"Marana Police Department does a lot for our kids in the community," Hess said. "Our youth are important to our future. Through athletics, kids learn teamwork, compassion, and camaraderie, and how to learn through failure and success. These are skills they can then use to lead a prosperous life."

Participating athletes are not charged to compete in Special Olympics. Funds raised by the officers go toward putting on the event and supporting the athletes. The 2016 State Summer Games is May 5-7 and will be held at Raymond Kellis High School in Glendale, Arizona. In addition to fundraising, Marana police officers participate every year in the torch run, and run beside Special Olympians through the Marana community. This year, the Marana torch run is scheduled for May 4. 

Josh Montgomery, Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, is grateful for the Marana Police Department's involvement. 

"Law enforcement is the backbone of our organization, both locally in Arizona, as well as globally," Montgomery said. "Police officers continuously give up their time and resources to help people with intellectual disabilities, and we couldn't be what we are without them."

Tip-A-Cop is one of the many efforts organized by Marana Police Department that focuses on positive police-citizen interaction. Marana police officers often find opportunities to interact with community members outside of the typical traffic stop. They visit regularly with business owners, provide educational opportunities through the Citizens Police Academy, and train high schoolers in the Marana Police Explorers program, to name a few. 

"Community policing is a mindset here at the Town of Marana," Police Chief Terry Rozema said. "We talk a lot about serving and protecting our community, and the community needs to trust us before we can effectively do those things. When the community trusts us, they join us in solving problems."

Marana police motorcycles flanked the restaurant entrance for photo opportunities, and spectators were invited to look at Pima Regional SWAT and bomb equipment. Officers answered questions and opened their vehicles for tours. The dashboard of a police vehicle was even covered in traffic citations--although upon closer inspection, those 'citations' were actually recruitment brochures for the Volunteers In Police Service program at the Town of Marana.  

Throughout this year's Tip-A-Cop event, it was clear how much Marana's officers enjoyed opportunities like this one.  To keep up with all the exciting activities our officers are up to every day, like the Town of Marana and the Marana Police Department on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @TownofMarana and @MaranaPD.  Periodically, you can also read stories about the Marana Police Department in the Marana Newsroom.  

Marana High School teachers set the stage for competition

(Above: Marana High School teachers Sarah Ross and Heidi Barker work on the presentation)

The competition may be just over two months away, but the Marana delegation is already hard at work setting the stage for the big presentation.

Marana High School teachers Sarah Ross and Heidi Barker play a large role in writing the script for the presentation. Both teach in the fine arts division, and direct students in their respective fields; Ross in choir, and Barker in drama. In addition to writing the presentation, they are also recruiting students to be a part of the Marana delegation. 

"I love my kids," Ross gushes excitedly. "We have so many great kids, they're going to do awesome in the presentation."

Ross and Barker both participated in developing last year's presentation to the All-America City judges, and are excited to come back for a second time. 

"We learned a lot last year that will help us write this year's presentation," Barker said. 

(Above: Staging for the All-America City presentation)

Each community is given ten minutes to make a presentation before the All-America City jury explaining why they should be named an All-America City. The presentation can follow any format, which will then be followed by ten minutes of questions to the presenters. The time limits are strictly enforced, and the Marana delegation has exactly 2.5 minutes to set up the presentation from scratch. 

The presentation is judged by the following criteria:

• Broad-based citizen involvement, reflecting the community's demographics
• Public, private and nonprofit participation; broadly-shared decision making
• Recognition and involvement of diverse segments of the population
• Creative mobilization and utilization of community resources
• Projects have significant impact on the community in light of its challenges, resources, and circumstances
• Willingness to confront critical issues; projects address most important needs
• Clearly demonstrated project results

Marana looks back to prepare for this year's competition

Above: representatives from Town of Marana, Marana Unified School District, Arizona Youth Partnership, Marana Chamber of Commerce, Marana Western Heritage Arena, and Marana Police Explorers made up the Marana delegation for the All-America City competition in 2015.

For the 2nd year in a row, Marana will send a delegation of community members led by the Town of Marana and Marana Unified School District to compete in the All-America City competition.  Marana's experience in the 2015 competition was unforgettable, and the delegation is prepared to use that experience as they prepare for this year's competition. Read more about last year's experience below, then visit the Road To All-America City 2016 page often to follow their journey to this year's competition in June. 

the application 

Marana began its months-long process for the 2015 All-America City award by submitting Marana-based programs that fit the National Civic League's theme for 2015: "Communities supporting vulnerable young males". The application was submitted in March 2015, and included community programs that promoted inclusive problem solving, and support for vulnerable populations. 

Marana received word of their finalist status in April 2015, and immediately began preparing for the competition that would take place in two months. The Marana delegation included representatives from Town of Marana, Marana Unified School District, Arizona Youth Partnership, Marana Chamber of Commerce, Marana Western Heritage Arena, and Marana Police Explorers.

Practice Makes Perfect

The Marana delegation spent the remaining weeks leading up to the June competition preparing for their presentation. They had ten minutes to present a creative performance to the All-America City judges, and the bar was high. They enlisted help from Marana High School drama teacher Heidi Barker to create a compelling script. The day before the presentation, the Marana delegation practiced for 10 hours straight outside the presentation hall. 

View the final presentation.

civil action fair & cultural showcase

Communities competing in the All-America City competition had the opportunity to showcase their communities and learn from one another. As the only Arizona community in attendance, the Marana delegation was excited to showcase what makes Marana great. Visitors to their booth learned more about Marana programs and attractions, and were encouraged to take fun, interactive photos that will stay with them long after the event was over. Trevor Robertson, the youngest participant in the delegation, gave roping and barrel racing demonstrations to showcase Marana's rodeo roots. 

the long-lasting impact of the all-america city competition

Marana did not win the All-America City designation in 2015, but the delegation left the competition with renewed perspective on what they could do to continue improving the Marana community. The All-America City theme encouraged conversation about diversity and inclusivity, and gave Marana a chance to learn from older and larger cities on how to solve very complex issues involving gang violence and socio-economic disparity. By learning from these other cities, Marana can anticipate problems that come with growth and time, and can address those issues before they become debilitating to the community. 

This was the first time multiple organizations in Marana came together in this way to work toward a common goal, and the experience drastically impacted their relationships in a positive way. After planning, rehearsing, and sharing their community with the rest of the nation, it was only natural to go home and continue strengthening those relationships. 

looking forward to this year's competition

Marana's journey for the All America City designation is not over yet. This year, the All-America City competition theme is "showcasing communities that ensure all children are healthy and supported to succeed in school and life." Marana has a number of amazing programs in the community, and the delegation looks forward to contributing to the  national discussion.