by Ethan Faverino | Mar 2, 2026 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona Senate Republicans are moving forward with legislation to strengthen school safety and emergency preparedness statewide, advancing a measure to allocate $3.2 million for enhanced communication and coordination during school emergencies.
The bill, SB 1582, cleared a key committee hurdle and is now headed toward a full Senate vote, with Republicans emphasizing their commitment to student protection amid unanimous Democratic opposition.
Sponsored by Senator Kevin Payne (R-LD27), SB 1582 appropriates $3.2 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Arizona Department of Education for the school safety program established under A.R.S. § 15-154. The funding supports initiatives to improve interoperability and communication systems between schools, law enforcement, and first responders.
“This is exactly the kind of proactive, commonsense action that Arizonans expect from their Legislature,” stated Senator Payne in a recent press release announcing the advancement of school safety funding. “SB 1582 provides funding to enhance communication between schools and law enforcement, which is crucial for effective emergency response.”
“Republicans supported this bill because protecting children should never be a controversial issue. The fact that every democrat voted against it speaks volumes, but it won’t deter us from doing what’s right for students, parents, and educators across the state,” Payne added. “Voting against funding that improves school safety and emergency response is not principled; it’s irresponsible. When politics takes precedence over protecting children, lawmakers fail the very communities they were elected to serve.”
The bill updates requirements for communication systems funded through related programs, ensuring they are compatible, reliable, and effective during crises. It also allocates funding to the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) for the School Safety Interoperability Fund, strengthening coordination and promoting safer learning environments across the state.
Senator Mark Finchem (R-LD1), a retired law enforcement officer, expressed frustration with the Democratic opposition. “In the realm of public safety, there are no second chances; when communication fails, people can get hurt or even killed. SB 1582 would provide practical tools to help first responders during a school emergency.”
“Yet today, democrats chose to vote no. Tomorrow, they’ll likely use ‘school safety’ as a talking point when it’s politically convenient or when they want to score rhetorical points against common-sense policies,” continued Finchem. “This is not leadership; it’s hypocrisy. You cannot oppose funding that protects children and then claim the moral high ground. When it’s time to take action instead of just talking, their priorities are clear, and Arizona families deserve better.”
SB 1582 now awaits a full Senate vote.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Feb 9, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Arizona lawmakers are showing their appreciation for law enforcement after a fatal helicopter crash took the lives of two on-duty responders.
The incident occurred late Wednesday night when an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) helicopter crew lost control while dispatched to an active-shooter incident in Flagstaff.
The suspect in the active-shooter incident sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds and was apprehended.
The GOP-led Arizona House opened Thursday’s floor session with a moment of silence honoring the lives of the two lost. House Speaker Steve Montenegro expressed gratitude for Arizona’s law enforcement.
“These men served the people of Arizona with courage, with professionalism, and with quiet heroism. Every day, DPS personnel places themselves in harm’s way so that our communities can be safer,” said Montenegro.
State Sen. Kevin Payne, chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee, stressed in a press release the importance of supporting law enforcement in the present climate.
“This tragic incident highlights just how challenging, unpredictable, and dangerous the job of law enforcement can be,” said Payne. “Our public safety professionals rush toward danger when others cannot, often putting themselves in harm’s way without a second thought. Today, we take a moment to recognize that sacrifice and honor the courage, dedication, and sense of duty that characterize those who serve.”
Gov. Katie Hobbs offered support to the ones left behind by the tragedy.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed his condolences.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of two Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers who gave their lives in the line of duty,” said Nygren. “Their ultimate sacrifice reflects unwavering commitment, courage, and dedication to protecting others. Their legacy of service will not be forgotten.”
On Friday, AZDPS identified the two fallen as Pilot Robert Skankey, 61, and trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett, 28.
Skankey served 22 years in the Marine Corps from 1988 to 2010, retiring as a lieutenant colonel before joining AZDPS in 2021. Skankey became aviation supervisor in 2024. He earned his master’s degree at Northern Arizona University.
He was an active member of his community: he founded the Kingman Young Marines nonprofit in 2015.
Skankey leaves behind a wife and four children.
Bennett joined AZDPS in 2022 as a top performer within his training academy, coming out at graduation with honors as class speaker. Prior to joining AZDPS, Bennett graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College.
Bennett leaves behind his high school sweetheart, whom he married in 2024.
The crash remains under active investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are working with AZDPS on identifying the cause of the crash.
In a press conference on Friday, AZDPS advised that it was “inappropriate and irresponsible to speculate” on the cause of the crash, apparently alluding to certain rumors spreading across social media of an intentional takedown of the helicopter. One of those rumors concerned a private drone.
When asked about the drone rumor, AZDPS again stated that speculation was irresponsible and that their investigation remained active.
No gunfire came from the AZDPS helicopter.
AZDPS shared that the aircraft involved in the crash went through a maintenance check a few days before the crash. It was not considered outdated or slated for replacement.
Civilian footage of the crash showed the helicopter drop noiselessly out of the sky.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 17, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona State Sen. Kevin Payne (R-LD27) has introduced legislation he claims will ensure law enforcement’s use of modern crime-fighting technology doesn’t slide into unchecked government surveillance. But critics say otherwise.
The bill, SB 1111, would create statewide standards governing how automated license plate readers, popularly known as Flock cameras, are used by police and other agencies across Arizona. The measure comes as concerns grow among residents and local leaders about the privacy implications of expanding surveillance tech in everyday life.
Under the proposal, data collected by these systems could only be used for legitimate law enforcement purposes, such as solving serious crimes or locating missing and endangered persons. The bill would explicitly ban the use of license plate data for general surveillance, political purposes, or non-law-enforcement activities. In an effort to ensure accountability, it also requires strict access controls, mandatory user training, detailed audit logs, and regular compliance reviews.
“This bill draws a clear line. We’re protecting innocent Arizonans from government overreach while making sure our law enforcement officers have the modern tools they need to keep our communities safe,” Payne said in a statement.
“Arizonans shouldn’t have to choose between their privacy and their security. This bill proves we can do both—defend individual freedom and back the men and women who put their lives on the line every day.”
Critics of the bill believe it is vaguely worded and would open the door to broad government surveillance with few safeguards.
“This is among one of the weakest bills I’ve seen when it comes to regulating license plate readers,” Dave Maass, director of investigations at Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), told the Arizona Mirror. “This bill is not going to do what the author says it is going to do.”
Flock cameras have been under heavy critcism from groups like the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, who wrote in an op-ed in November that “Arizona is home to some of the most Flock-saturated cities in the country.” The group warned that “Flock monitors your movement constantly, often without your knowledge, and always without your consent. You can turn off your phone. You can’t turn off a camera mounted on a pole. Every car you drive and every route you take is automatically logged, creating a permanent record you never agreed to.”
Flock Safety, the company behind the mass surveillance cameras used throughout Arizona, was compromised in December.
Supporters of the legislation argue that the absence of clear statewide guidelines has left residents uncertain about how and when sensitive data is collected, shared, and stored. Some cities and counties have already wrestled with local policies as questions about oversight and civil-liberty protections have surfaced.
Law-enforcement advocates say the technology has helped solve serious crimes and locate missing persons, while acknowledging that clear guardrails are necessary to maintain public trust.
Joe Clure, Executive Director of the Arizona Police Association, stated, “SB 1111 provides the tools law enforcement needs to keep our communities safe while putting firm protections in place against government overreach and privacy assurance to that same community. Cameras used to detect and apprehend suspects are invaluable in maintaining public safety and preventing criminal and terrorist activity. They also aid in the investigation and solving of crimes long after they were committed.”
SB 1111 will now proceed through the legislative process, where it is expected to draw fierce debate over how to strike a balance between crime-fighting effectiveness and individual privacy rights.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 29, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Senate Republicans are sounding the alarm after the reported murder of another inmate last week at the Lewis Prison Complex, pushing the number of inmate homicides in the state’s prison system to 11 in the current fiscal year — a dramatic rise compared to an average of two per year over the previous four years.
The lawmakers are calling on Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) Director Ryan Thornell and Governor Katie Hobbs to address what they describe as a growing public safety crisis behind prison walls.
“This troubling news comes on the very day Director Thornell was expected to respond to my request for records concerning the department’s internal operations,” said Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman Kevin Payne. “We’re running out of time to identify and fix the security failures within our correctional system. We’re not just talking about inmates — our officers are increasingly at risk, too.”
According to Payne, in addition to the suspected homicide at Lewis Prison, there was also a recent incident at a Florence facility in which several correctional officers were assaulted.
Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp placed blame on a mix of staffing shortages and what she characterized as overly lenient inmate policies. “Our corrections officers face the very real threat of violence every day. ADCRR’s current policies have given inmates more freedom than is appropriate for safety and order. Governor Hobbs must step up and reassert control over our correctional institutions,” she said.
Majority Whip Frank Carroll added, “A core responsibility of the government is to protect its citizens — that includes ensuring state prisons are secure and functional. Eleven inmate homicides in one year is unacceptable. Arizona is clearly failing on this front.”
Senate Military Affairs and Border Security Committee Chairman David Gowan echoed similar concerns and criticized what he called a lack of support from the executive branch. “Our prisons are underfunded, understaffed, and overrun by criminal activity,” he said. “We’ve put forward common-sense solutions, but the Governor continues to resist Republican efforts to fix these systemic problems.”
Republican lawmakers have previously introduced proposals to boost staffing, increase officer pay, and improve security infrastructure, but say those initiatives have been stymied by the administration.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 7, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman Kevin Payne (R-LD27) is intensifying his investigation into the state’s Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR), citing a string of violent incidents—including inmate murders, suicides, drug overdoses, and assaults on staff—as signs of a deepening crisis within the prison system.
Chairman Payne, who first launched a probe in April after the murder of three inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson, has now sent a second letter to ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell, requesting a broader set of records and data to evaluate the agency’s operational failures and safety protocols.
The investigation was originally prompted by a high-profile case involving Ricky Wassenaar, a convicted murderer serving 16 life sentences. Wassenaar, who previously orchestrated a two-week-long hostage crisis at the Lewis Prison Complex in 2004, is accused of killing three fellow inmates during what prison officials described as an “altercation.”
In response, Payne initially requested timelines, staffing rosters, incident reports, and documentation on policy changes related to the case. After reviewing the initial information provided by the department, Payne—joined by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Quang Nguyen—is now demanding additional public records be delivered by June 25.
“These details will be used in determining the next course of action to ensure the safety and security of both correctional employees and inmates,” Payne said. The senator did not mince words in describing the situation.
“I have grave concerns that a disaster is unfolding right before our eyes at Arizona’s correctional facilities,” Payne said in a statement. “I fear the lives of correctional officers and staff are in jeopardy each day they report for duty, and I’m concerned dangerous inmates within their custody are not secure. It appears we have a ticking time bomb on our hands.”
Payne added that the requested records will help determine why “current policies and procedures are failing both employees and inmates.” He pledged to keep the public informed as more information is gathered and reviewed.
The ADCRR has faced scrutiny in recent years over staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, and ongoing security issues. The outcome of this investigation could carry significant implications for prison policy and oversight in Arizona.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
