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🗞️ The Devil Dogs Saga 🚨Teen to Stand Trial as Adult for Murder and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #041

Author

Lloyd Heath
December 16, 2023

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In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

 📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

 🗞️ The Devil Dogs Saga: Gilbert's Fight Against a Teen Gang's Racism and Violence

🏗️ Gilbert's Trax at Cooley Station to Rise Higher with Revised Development Plan

 🚨 San Tan Valley Shooting: Teen to Stand Trial as Adult for Murder

 🐈‍⬛ Gilbert Council to Explore Grants for Cat Control, Upholds Public Feeding Prohibition

🏛️ Gilbert Town Council Mourns Recent Tragic Deaths, Reaffirms Commitment to Public Safety

December Ongoing

December Upcoming Events

The Devil Dogs Saga: Gilbert's Fight Against a Teen Gang's Racism and Violence

In the 1990s, the town of Gilbert faced a significant challenge with the emergence of a violent gang known as the "Devil Dogs." This group, primarily composed of middle-class white teenagers, some of whom were student-athletes at Highland High School, gained notoriety for their racially charged assaults and connections to drug trafficking. Their activities were linked to an older gang, White Power, and their association with mobster Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano further escalated their infamy.

The Devil Dogs' actions were characterized by white supremacist rhetoric, forcing victims to perform Nazi salutes, and physical violence, often accompanied by racial slurs. The gang's involvement in steroid use was also uncovered during police investigations. Their reign of terror culminated in several high-profile incidents, including the brutal assault on teenager Jordan Jarvis, which led to the arrest and conviction of several members.

The community's response to the Devil Dogs' violence was multifaceted. Highland High School implemented drug testing for student-athletes, and the student council organized fundraisers to support the victims and repair the school's reputation. Additionally, the town established a Human Relations Committee to address the social issues arising from the gang's activities. The aftermath of the Devil Dogs' era saw various members facing legal repercussions, with some serving prison time, while others attempted to reintegrate into society.

The legacy of the Devil Dogs continues to resonate in the community, highlighting the challenges of addressing youth violence and the importance of proactive social interventions.

Gilbert's Trax at Cooley Station to Rise Higher with Revised Development Plan

The Gilbert Town Council recently approved a significant revision to the development plan for Trax at Cooley Station, an upcoming apartment complex in the Cooley Station area. The approval, granted on December 13, allows for increased building heights and reduced setbacks in the complex's design.

Located west of the intersection of Williams Field Road and Verde Drive, Trax at Cooley Station will now feature two five-story buildings, reaching up to 69 feet in height, with both building and landscape setbacks reduced to 10 feet on its eastern boundary. Originally, the developers were permitted to construct four-story buildings at a height of 56 feet, with a 20-foot building setback and a 15-foot landscaping setback.

Despite these changes, the overall plan remains the same in terms of the number of units and density. The complex, zoned as multifamily-medium, will consist of 568 units spread over 22.73 acres, amounting to a density of approximately 24.98 units per acre. The development plan includes 10 residential buildings—two five-story, four four-story, and four two-story carriage units—along with a two-story clubhouse, two amenity areas, and an internal parking garage.

The revised plan, leveraging a planned area development tool within the code, offers additional open space and more amenities for residents, including a wraparound parking garage. Reese Anderson, representing the developer Frankel Family Trust, stated that the parking garage and some amenities were contingent on the council's approval of the proposal.

The town's planning staff and most council members supported the revised plan, citing its alignment with the town’s vision for the Gateway Character Area in Cooley Station. The neo-classical design, as described by Senior Planner Keith Newman, was particularly noted for fitting well within this vision.

Although most council members expressed approval of the plan, Councilmember Bobbi Buchli voiced discomfort with the inclusion of five-story buildings. Nonetheless, the council passed the changes with a 6-1 vote, with Buchli being the sole dissenting member.

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San Tan Valley Shooting: Teen to Stand Trial as Adult for Murder

A significant development has emerged in the case of a fatal shooting in San Tan Valley. The Pinal County Attorney's Office has announced that 17-year-old Anthony Jason Garcia faces an indictment for the murder of Jamiere Jenkins, also 17. Garcia, accused of second-degree murder in the shooting of Combs High School student Jenkins, will be tried as an adult.

The incident, which occurred on November 28 in the Cambria neighborhood, reportedly stemmed from an argument between the two teenagers, culminating in Jenkins being shot in the neck. The Pinal County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Mark Lamb, conducted a thorough investigation that included collecting video evidence from the area and eyewitness accounts. Notably, footage from an Amazon truck and home security cameras played a pivotal role in identifying Garcia as the suspect.

Previously, Garcia had been a student at Combs High School, the same school Jenkins attended, but had withdrawn from the school system in the summer. Following the investigation, the grand jury convened by the Pinal County Attorney's Office returned an indictment against Garcia for second-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court again in January.

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Gilbert Council to Explore Grants for Cat Control, Upholds Public Feeding Prohibition

In Gilbert, Arizona, the Town Council has chosen to focus on possible grant programs to support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiatives for managing feral cats, rather than revoking an existing ordinance that bans feeding these animals on town property. This decision emerged from a council study session held on December 12, which included insights from Parks and Recreation Director Robert Carmona. The session reviewed the town's wildlife feeding ordinance, established in May 2018, which forbids the feeding of wild or feral animals on town land or public right-of-way without approval from the parks and recreation director. The ordinance had sparked controversy in 2019-20 following police citations issued to a resident for feeding feral cats, leading to public protests. The issue resurfaced recently due to a TikTok video showing feral kittens in Gilbert.

Carmona noted the absence of a significant number of complaints from park users and clarified that there's no ban on TNR practices on private land. Vice Mayor Kathy Tilque proposed a neighborhood grant program similar to one in Chandler, Arizona, where approximately $1,000 grants are given, with an estimated annual spending of around $12,000. Mayor Brigette Peterson highlighted that TNR practices are permissible on 95% of Gilbert's land with the landowner's consent, but emphasized the liability concerns on public land. Acknowledging her fondness for cats, Mayor Peterson expressed willingness to discuss potential measures to improve the situation.

Gilbert Town Council Mourns Recent Tragic Deaths, Reaffirms Commitment to Public Safety

Gilbert Town Council

The Gilbert Town Council has expressed profound sorrow following a series of tragic events in the region. In a short period, three young lives were lost: Preston Lord in Queen Creek, Hailey Stephens in Casa Grande, and Jamiere Jenkins in Pinal County. These incidents, which are unusual for this area, have deeply impacted the community, prompting calls for greater awareness and understanding.

Reaffirming its stance against violence and hate, the Council has emphasized its dedication to maintaining public safety. This commitment is backed by Gilbert's ranking as the second safest city in the United States among the largest 100 cities, as per the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. The Gilbert Police Department plays a significant role in this, offering various community programs like teen safety education, a specialized crime prevention team, and active social media engagement for public awareness.

Collaboration between the Gilbert and Queen Creek Police Departments is ongoing, particularly in the investigation of these incidents. Authorities believe the deaths of Preston, Hailey, and Jamiere are unrelated, with arrests already made in the Casa Grande and Pinal County cases. The Queen Creek investigation is progressing, with updates being provided to the community.

Addressing concerns raised on social media about a group in Gilbert allegedly targeting teens, the Council assures that all reported incidents have been thoroughly investigated by the Gilbert Police Department. The public is encouraged to report any relevant information directly to the police, rather than through social media, to ensure accurate follow-up and effective investigations. The Council urges residents to use the non-emergency line for non-urgent concerns and to always dial 9-1-1 in emergencies.

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