Traffic enforcement notification:

As Page PD has increased traffic enforcement efforts, speeding and poor driving continue to be a problem. Accidents are extremely time-consuming, hurt people, and are occurring more and more frequently. Unfortunately, many of the violations are occurring in residential neighborhoods.

Last week near the Middle School, a local resident was arrested for traveling 58 mph in the posted 25 mph zone at 7:47 a.m., while children were walking to school. Additionally, we are seeing reckless behavior from adults and kids riding dirt bikes on our streets. As the violations increase, so do the complaints from citizens.

To help increase traffic safety, Page PD is implementing a zero-tolerance policy in residential neighborhoods. This means if a person gets stopped, they will be issued a citation or arrested if the violation is criminal.

The most common violations have included: Speeding (civil and criminal), Unlawful turns (civil), Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device (civil), No driver’s license/Suspended driver’s license (civil and criminal), No registration (civil), No proof of insurance (civil), Equipment violations (civil), Adults allowing unlicensed minors to drive on City streets (criminal), DUI (criminal), Reckless Driving (criminal), and Flight from Law Enforcement (criminal).

Citizens must understand that people riding dirt bikes on paved roadways, even for a few seconds, are required to have a driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. If an adult allows an unlicensed minor to operate a vehicle, they will be cited for a criminal offense, which could have a negative impact on their insurance. Additionally, if an unsafe vehicle is being operated on a roadway, it will be towed.

Please help us keep our streets and community safe.

Sincerely,

Tim Lange,  Page Police Chief

On Oct. 5, 2024, at approximately 11:56 p.m., Page PD Officer Ethan Young was conducting traffic enforcement when he stopped a vehicle near Lake Powell Blvd. and South Navajo Drive for multiple traffic violations.

Upon contacting the occupants, Officer Young observed a two-year-old child in the vehicle who was not secured in a child safety seat. All the adult occupants, including the driver, showed common signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication. Officer Young administered a DUI investigation, which resulted in the driver being arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicating beverage. Page PD dispatch determined that the driver's license was suspended. The driver was subsequently arrested and booked for 2 counts of felony aggravated DUI and child endangerment. More charges could be forthcoming pending the results of a blood alcohol analysis.

Chief Tim Lange said, "Our officers will continue being diligent in recognizing and enforcing traffic laws in our community. Although some people have been critical of our zero-tolerance stance regarding traffic violations in residential neighborhoods, we all should agree that driving impaired, especially with children in the vehicle, is never acceptable. I appreciate all of our officers who excel in DUI enforcement. There is never a reason anyone should drink and then drive."

On Oct. 5, 2024, Page PD received a report of a two-vehicle accident without injury on 5th Avenue in Page. When the officer arrived, his investigation found that a silver Dodge pickup being driven by a person with a suspended driver's license had exited a driveway and failed to yield for a Jeep Wrangler that was northbound on 5th Avenue. The vehicles collided, causing property damage to both vehicles. The driver of the pickup was cited for driving on a suspended driver's license and failure to yield.

On Oct. 4, 2024, at 9:46 p.m., Page police officer Nick Aulston stopped a vehicle for a civil traffic violation. The driver, a Page resident, had a warrant for his arrest. Upon searching the driver subsequent to arrest, drug paraphernalia was found in his possession. A drug-certified canine was deployed and alerted to the presence of illegal drugs in the vehicle. The passenger in the vehicle fled the scene but was identified by Officer Aulston prior to fleeing. The vehicle was searched, and presumptive fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia consistent with illegal drug sales were found inside. The driver was booked for the warrant, possession of narcotic drugs for sale, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, all felonies in the state of Arizona. Charges will be long-formed against the passenger and an arrest warrant will be requested.

On Sept. 30, 2024, at approximately 12:01 p.m., Page PD officers responded to a two-vehicle accident with injuries on Coppermine Road. The investigation revealed that a white Chevrolet pickup had been traveling northbound on Coppermine Road. The driver made an abrupt left turn in front of a southbound red Dodge pickup, causing the vehicles to collide. A child was riding in the red pickup, but fortunately was secured in a car seat. All occupants were transported to Page Hospital. The driver of the white pickup was cited for failure to yield.

Page PD reminds everyone to leave early, drive the speed limit, and refrain from using devices that cause distracted driving.

Recently, there have been unsubstantiated reports and rumors that an individual or individuals have threatened violence against schools in the Page Unified School District. The Page Police Department has worked closely with the school district and local law enforcement partners and have found these reports and rumors to be false or unsubstantiated. Nevertheless, the Page Police Department will continue to have officer presence in all our schools.

The Page Police Department will investigate all acts and reports of violence relating to our schools and take immediate action if any of these reports are confirmed. Please talk to your children about social media safety and, “If you see something, say something.”

On Sept. 28, 2024, Page PD officers were dispatched to a domestic violence-related call for service. When officers arrived, they could hear arguing inside the residence. When officers contacted the individuals, one of them, an adult male, ran into a bedroom and armed himself with a machete. He raised the machete above his head and began charging at the officers. An officer was able to shoot the armed suspect with a less than lethal beanbag round, which caused him to collapse and fall to the floor. Officers were then able to gain control of the machete and take the person into custody. He was arrested for aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon, domestic violence/aggravated assault, domestic violence/disorderly conduct with a weapon, and domestic violence/criminal damage.

On Sept. 29, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Arizona DPS requested assistance from Page PD with a pursuit that was traveling south on U.S. 89 toward the Page city limits. It was reported that the driver was wanted for a probation violation and considered armed and dangerous. The pursuit entered the Page city limits. The driver still refused to stop and continued north on U.S. 89, where he was forced to stop the vehicle on the Glen Canyon Bridge. The driver was eventually taken into custody by DPS officers without further incident. Page PD, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, and the National Park Service all assisted with this investigation.

Chief Lange said, "We thank all of the agencies who participated in both of these incidents and are thankful the involved officers were able to resolve both investigations without any injury to officers or the public."

On Sept. 28, 2024, at approximately 7:29 p.m., the Page Police Department received a report of a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Aero Avenue in Page. When officers arrived, they discovered that a vehicle had been traveling westbound on Aero Avenue when it crossed center and collided with a truck and travel trailer that had been legally parked along the curb. Officers determined that the driver of the vehicle, an adult female, had a suspended driver’s license and showed common signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication. A DUI investigation was initiated, and a search warrant was obtained. Subsequently, the driver provided officers with a sample of her blood. Charges will be filed after an analysis of the blood is completed.

On Sept. 26, 2024, at approximately 10:42 p.m., the Navajo Police Department requested assistance in locating a vehicle. Reportedly, the vehicle struck a pedestrian on the Navajo Nation and the driver of the vehicle fled the scene.

A short time later, Page PD Canine Officer Nick Aulston located the vehicle in the Page city limits and initiated a traffic stop. A police canine alerted to the presence of illegal drug odor and the driver, an adult female, admitted to having illegal drugs in her possession. Illegal opioids and methamphetamine were located during a search. The driver was arrested and booked on state charges for possession of dangerous drugs and possession of narcotic drugs. The accident portion of this investigation is being completed by the Navajo Police Department.