A first-term west valley mayor in Arizona is helping to lead his city to greater economic prosperity.
Late last month, City of Peoria Mayor Jason Beck wrote an op-ed for a local publication, touting the work he and members of his municipal council were doing to “ensur[e] that Peoria remains an attractive destination for businesses while providing essential opportunities for our residents.”
Beck announced that the Peoria City Council had given a greenlight to amendments for the Peoria General Plan 2024 in a September 17 meeting. He reported that the approved amendments would “significantly enhance our city’s economic landscape and improve the quality of life for all residents.”
In the op-ed, Beck discussed a vital part of the amendments considered and rubberstamped by the council, which was a “new state land designation [that] includes the 1,620-acre North Peoria Gateway and the 6,700-acre Peoria Innovation Core.” He stated that “this designation will enable us to create a cohesive master plan for these areas, promoting strategic and well-coordinated growth rather than a fragmented development approach.”
The mayor also addressed some concerns that may have been percolating throughout the community in the lead-up to the action from the city council. He assured readers that “in no way do these designations change zoning or diminish protections for our natural resources. Existing city ordinances…will continue to safeguard the landscapes and wildlife that we all appreciate as Peoria residents.”
Beck championed the work of his municipality to “build a resilient future for Peoria” by “enhanc[ing] our ability to protect our environment while fostering economic development that benefits all residents across our city.” He forecasted the upcoming October council meeting, where the members would talk about additional economic development strategies to grow Peoria.
Under Beck’s visionary leadership, the City of Peoria has cemented its status in the Grand Canyon State of being one of the up-and-coming economic bastions in Arizona. The Mayor’s TYR Tactical is one of Peoria’s largest employers, and he used that experience to shape his economic development vision for the city’s future. Before taking office as the city’s chief executive, he campaigned on the construction of a city owned airport “that will create thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact” for Peoria, as well as the “creation of culture that is not only Pro Business but moves at the speed and efficiency of business.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Transnational organized crime is on the rise in the Valley; South American Theft Groups (SATGs) are the suspected culprits behind a string of burglaries in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, and unincorporated areas of Maricopa County.
SATGs, also known as “crime tourists,” are nationals from Chile and other South American countries that exploit tourist visas in order to obtain and transport stolen goods internationally. Up until recent years, SATGs were known to operate mainly in Los Angeles and New York City.
Federal agents have offered different estimates on the emergence of SATGs. An FBI special agent toldVanity Fair in 2022 that California’s troubles with SATGs began in 2016; in that same spate of interviews, another special agent claimed that the SATG plague began in 2014 after Chile joined the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program. Chile is the only South American country in the program.
The ESTA program automatically grants 90-day visas to South American countries’ citizens with clean background checks. These program authorizations are valid for multiple trips over a period of two years.
As agents told Vanity Fair, these SATG criminals likely have “clean” background checks because they use “fictitious documents, IDs, residency cards” to claim legal presence. As a result, SATG members generally register no criminal record.
Scottsdale Councilwoman Tammy Caputi advised in a press release last week that law enforcement agencies across the cities and towns are running surveillance operations to apprehend the SATGs including cameras, fixed and moving positions, aircraft, and K9 units.
The agencies also plan to convene for further coordination efforts on Wednesday, with the possibility of a multi-agency burglary task force.
Further, the FBI assigned an agent to coordinate response efforts to the crime trend.
In December, the FBI testified on SATGs at a congressional hearing regarding the uptick in organized retail crime. In order to address SATGs, the FBI leads task forces through its Major Theft Program (MTP).
In last week’s press release, Scottsdale Police estimated that this recent string of robberies began around last October. Police estimated at least 22 burglaries were the result of SATGs, with the latest occurring last week.
Scottsdale Police reported that it had conducted seven surveillance operations to apprehend the burglars, with an eighth planned for Tuesday night. Law enforcement also disclosed that they obtained physical evidence as well as camera footage from several of the burglaries.
Law enforcement noted that the burglaries were usually occurring Thursdays through Saturdays from 5-10 p.m. The burglars have primarily targeted homes adjacent to a wash.
One of the earliest to speak out on the burglary spree was Scottsdale City Council candidate Jan Dubauskas. On Monday, Dubauskas issued a press release warning of the import of the sudden uptick in crime.
“This is a crime spree and it’s not happening in a far-off blue city like San Francisco. It’s in our own backyard,” said Dubauskas. “Scottsdale is being targeted. We chose to live here because of the sense of safety and protection and that has been shattered.”
Dubauskas further urged the community to engage in neighborhood watches, and expressed confidence in local police’s ability to apprehend the perpetrators.
“We need to come together to protect our homes and ensure these thieves are caught and brought to justice,” said Dubauskas. “Thankfully, we have an all-star Police Department here in Scottsdale that is bringing the community in and making this a top priority. They’re some of the best in the country.”
Valley law enforcement are becoming more familiar with recognizing and catching SATGs. Around this time last year, 12 News reported on Scottsdale investigators prosecuting a crime syndicate that reportedly hit homes in Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada, and Utah in 2022.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
On Thursday, it was announced that Amkor Technology would be bringing a multi-billion-dollar campus to Peoria in the next few years. The company will be partnering with Apple to package and test silicon.
The new Amkor campus is expected be a $2 billion investment and create 2,000 jobs. The Peoria City Council will have to approve the development agreement in 2024.
The Chief Operating Officer for Apple, Jeff Williams, also noted the announcement in a press release for his company. Williams said, “Apple is deeply committed to the future of American manufacturing, and we’ll continue to expand our investment here in the United States. Apple silicon has unlocked new levels of performance for our users, enabling them to do things they could never do before, and we are thrilled that Apple silicon will soon be produced and packaged in Arizona.”
Governor Katie Hobbs weighed in on the news for her state, stating that this project would “be one of the most significant semiconductor investments in the U.S.” and that it would “solidify our state’s leadership in the semiconductor industry – reshoring an essential part of our supply chain to the United States.”
HUGE NEWS ➡️ Amkor announced they’ll build a historic advanced packaging & testing facility in Peoria, which will be one of the most significant semiconductor investments in the US.
This $2 billion investment will create over 2,000 jobs for Arizonans and solidify our state’s…
“Expansion of a US semiconductor supply chain is underway, and as the largest US-headquartered advanced packaging company, we are excited to lead the charge in bolstering America’s advanced packaging capabilities,” said Giel Rutten, Amkor’s president and chief executive officer. “Semiconductor companies, foundries, and other supply chain partners understand the need to strategically broaden their geographic footprint. The announcement of our new advanced packaging and test facility in Arizona is a clear signal of our intent to help our customers ensure resilient supply chains and be a part of a strong American semiconductor ecosystem.”
According to Amkor’s press release, the company has “secured approximately 55 acres of land with intent to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing campus with more than 500,000 square feet of clean room space.”
The announcement from Amkor follows a years-in-the-making project for the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) construction of a facility in north Phoenix, just outside of Peoria. TSMC’s investment is $40 billion and is expected to create thousands of additional jobs for the area. The facility is expected to start production of the semiconductor chips, that will be then tested and packaged by Amkor, in 2025, providing the company fills its quota of workers.
Peoria Mayor Jason Beck welcomed the announcement from Amkor and Apple, saying, “It is no secret that our nation is reshoring its advanced manufacturing industries. We are proud of Peoria’s global leadership in this movement, and the significant capital investment and quality jobs that it brings to our community. This tremendous announcement is a credit to the City Council’s commitment to economic development, and staff’s hard work and dedication on this project.”
We are proud of Peoria’s global leadership in this movement that will produce semiconductors that are vital to our national security, the significant capital investment in our area, and quality jobs that it brings to our community. This tremendous announcement is a credit to the… https://t.co/WhhuPrbMmR
— Office of Peoria Mayor Jason Beck (@MayorPeoriaAZ) November 30, 2023
This facility won’t likely be the last significant business and investment coming to Beck’s city. The Mayor’s TYR Tactical is one of Peoria’s largest employers, and he used that experience to shape his economic development vision for Peoria’s future. He campaigned on the construction of a city owned airport “that will create thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact” for Peoria, as well as the “creation of culture that is not only Pro Business but moves at the speed and efficiency of business.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
An Arizona leader has traveled to Israel to show his support of its people as they continue to recover from one of the worst terrorist attacks in their nation’s history.
Peoria Mayor Jason Beck revealed on his Facebook platform this week that he had visited Israel “to meet with and support IDF soldiers, political and religious leaders around the country.”
The first-year mayor surmised he might have been “the first American to visit (the Kibbutz Be’eri) due to the continued threats in the area. This community of approximately 1,100 men, women, and children lost over 120 individuals in the October 7 terrorist attack from Hamas – more than ten percent of its population.
Beck shared he “felt it was extremely important to tour Be’eri and provide an accurate accounting of the horror and the intensity of what took place at this location.” He added that “the lives that were taken, the extreme brutality of Hamas of how men, women and children were tortured, executed and slain is important for someone to take in and carry forward for others to experience and hopefully recognize these heinous acts that took place on these beautiful people.”
As Mayor Beck concluded his post, he challenged readers to stand with this American ally in their fight against their terrorist enemies, writing, “To not support Israel’s ability to defend their people, home and lands from Hamas is to support terrorism and weakness that will surely spread across this world if it is not destroyed.”
According to his account, Beck met with the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eli Cohen; Rabbi Rabinovich of the Western Wall, and other rabbis and pastors in the country.
Though the west valley mayor has less than one year of time in the political world, he has decades of military and foreign affairs experience through his work in the private sector. Beck is the Founder and CEO of TYR Tactical, which is a “leading global manufacturer of tactical gear and equipment for military and law enforcement.” He also served the United States in the Marine Corps before he veered into his business ventures.
Days after the horrific terrorist attack in Israel, Beck vowed to “send body armor to Israel for the protection of the brave soldiers who will defend their homeland and our Western values.” That promise was fulfilled with an estimate of 2,000 protective vests being shipped to Israel.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A first-year mayor is getting recognition for his emerging leadership as a government official.
Late last month, the Arizona Capitol Times released its 2023 Leaders of the Year awards, highlighting Peoria Mayor Jason Beck as a winner for the “Government” category.
In addition to congratulating Mayor Beck and others who earned recognition under various categories, the Arizona Capitol Times wrote, “These individuals have demonstrated a commitment to serving their communities that are second to none. Their passion and talent have made Arizona a better place for all that live here.”
Since entering office at the beginning of this year, Mayor Beck has proven he is up for the task of leading his city forward, working with the council to keep several of the promises he made during his 2022 campaign. Beck made public safety a key focus of his campaign, and he has delivered on multiple fronts to increase funding and resources for Peoria’s police, fire, and school.
In July, Beck announced that there would be a police presence at all Peoria Unified School District schools during the 2023-2024 year. He added that there would be four new SLOs (School Liaison Officers) and rotating SLOs at every school, that this presence would be expanded to all elementary schools, and that there would be 22 Peoria schools with police coverage and an increase in SLO salary.
The action to provide additional school safety personnel for Peoria schools comes on the heels of an earlier announcement from Mayor Beck on funding for the city’s police pension funding. In a social media post, Beck noted that the Peoria City Council had moved $6 million to the police pension funding, which was now 80% funded – compared to 48% funded in 2020.
Earlier this spring, the mayor highlighted his vote “to approve the Peoria Police Association’s proposal for a wage increase for Peoria Police Officers.” His communication on March 16 stated that the Peoria City Council “unanimously voted to increase police wages by a 10% market adjustment and a one time lump sum payment of $2,500 to go in effect March 18th.”
Beck also revealed that his city had just arranged for the acquisition of land for a new, “state-of-the-art” police and fire station, which would ensure “efficient collaboration between the two crucial services in times of emergency.” Mayor Beck explained that he is “committed to ensuring that Peoria remains a safe and secure place for everyone,” and that he “understands the vital role that our police officers and firefighters play in maintaining this safety.” He expressed his pride in supporting the city’s first responders in “their tireless efforts.”
The mayor’s success at the helm of his city comes as no surprise to those who have interacted with him in the private sector before he entered the political realm. Before taking the oath as Peoria’s chief executive, Beck founded TYR Tactical, which manufactures police and military equipment. Beck has served as the company’s CEO since its inception in 2010, growing his operation into one of the city’s top businesses. In a letter posted on TYR’s site, Beck asserts that “protecting and serving the men and women of U.S. and Allied Armed Forces, as well as Law Enforcement and Federal Agencies, has always been my number one priority.”
At the beginning of March, Beck announced that he had been presented with the Patriotic Employer Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The honor is a recognition for “contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve Force.” Beck wrote, “Those that have worked at TYR know the intensity in which we focus on perfection of the product and why we say every stitch matters. Every Police Office, Every Soldier and Every Life Matters! It’s what I am proud of TYR’s performance and we are proud of Renato and the many vests that have worked for us in the past and currently working for us now.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
