Sgt Mayra Reeson: Goodyear Police Department & Virtual Block Watch

One-on-One with Goodyear PD PIO Sgt. Mayra Reeson: Inside the New Virtual Block Watch Program

Goodyear Police Department Sgt. Mayra Reeson, the department’s Public Information Officer, sat down for a one-on-one discussion about community engagement, evolving technology, and GYPD’s new Virtual Block Watch Program. Reeson joined Goodyear PD in January 2025 and brings 18 years of law enforcement experience, including time with Phoenix Police Department. She is a graduate of the Arizona Law Enforcement Police Academy (2008).
After moving from California to Arizona, Reeson became deeply involved in her community— as a mom, running a Girl Scout troop and building local connections. That sense of community ultimately drew her to Goodyear.

“It just gave me that opportunity to come back to more of what my community is. This is where I shop. Entertainment. So much is growing here in Goodyear. So this is more like my community again.”

Like many in law enforcement, Reeson says policing wasn’t a childhood dream—but once she found it, she knew it was where she belonged.

“I stumbled upon this career… Once I was here, I was like wow—this is really what I was meant to do. I can’t imagine doing something else.”

A self-described social person, Reeson transitioned from computers and IT into law enforcement as her children grew older, drawn to the fulfillment of serving the community.

“We spend so much time away from our families… and being able to serve the community—it’s just more fulfilling.”

Now working in media relations, Reeson says her focus is ensuring accurate, timely information reaches residents about safety and community concerns.

What Is the Virtual Block Watch Program?
GYPD’s Virtual Block Watch expands traditional neighborhood watch concepts using today’s technology. With doorbell cameras, floodlight cameras, and home security systems now common, the program allows residents to voluntarily register their cameras with the police department.

Importantly, Reeson emphasized:
“We want to give people closure and resolution to crimes.”

TIME CODES:
00:34 Support of Community
1:22 About Sgt. Reeson
3:07 Barber asks Sgt. Reeson if she loves what she does
4:45 Work, family, career
7:01 Goodyear & Community Relations
7:30 Partnerships with Police & Fire & Community Relationships
8:00 Virtual Block Watch
8:38 What happens during a crime scene
8:57 Ring camera footage
9:48 Residents register cameras with Virtual Block Watch
9:58 Police do not have access to cameras
10:50 Footage not share with anyone outside the Goodyear Police Department
11:25 Enhancing Neighborhood Block Watch
12:37 Goodyear PD reaching out to community through media
13:05 Goodyear Block Watch Benefits
13:42 Technology is evolving
14:18 Program helps free up time
14:56 Crimes of opportunity
15:44 Goodyear’s retirement community
16:28 Getting to know your neighbors
16:55 How much PD relies on videos captured by residents
17:39 Partnership between West Valley cities
19:19 How helpful video enters case file
19:39 Data retention timeline like other evidence
20:35 All evidence is heavily regulated
21:38 Other cities with Virtual Block Watch
22:35 A tool to cut down time
22:49 Testifying in court not necessary
23:59 Silent Witness as an option
24:39 Camera footage doesn’t make you an eye witness to a crime
25:11 Camera footage vs. eye witness
25:22 Who oversees the program & 3rd party vendors
25:53 Goodyear stores the footage
26:31 Images would not feed into Flock
29:31 Goodyear Virtual Block Watch Video
29:53 Clarifying safety of program
30:30 Crimes & cameras
30:41 Report to police
31:14 If you see something, say something
31:19 Wrap

Learn about Goodyear, Arizona's Virtual Block Watch: https://www.goodyearaz.gov/government...