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In advance of the April 6 Anchorage municipal election, the Anchorage Daily News asked candidates running for Anchorage mayor a series of issue questions. These include questions suggested by readers. Read all the mayor and school board candidates’ responses here.
Q: Is the Anchorage Police Department adequately staffed?
I’m not informed enough to answer.
No. Historically, Anchorage crime is 142% greater than the national average and 45% higher than the Alaska average. We have a higher violent crime and property crime rate than both the national and Alaskan average. Every type of crime has increased in Anchorage each year since 2014. Our crime rate is higher than 93% of all American cities. We have an “F” rating for crime control. This must change. We must increase the number of APD officers and focus on reducing violent and property crimes.
The APD is is doing a very difficult job and should be funded accordingly. That said, I think it’s important to do a comprehensive analysis of the expectations the municipality has for the department and fund it accordingly. If analysis shows that the department is significantly understaffed, then that’s something we will have to look at.
The administration and Assembly have made a concerted effort to increase resources for the APD over the last five years. While our officer-to-resident ratios are still far lower than many similarly-sized cities in the Lower 48, I do not believe that our residents support the large increase in taxes that would be required to reach those ratios. Therefore, my administration will focus on maintaining our current level of sworn officers and ensuring that we avoid the unacceptable situation we found ourselves during the Sullivan administration. That being said, we DO need additional non-sworn staff, like dispatchers, evidence clerks and technicians. Improving staffing levels also helps reduce overtime hours and can both improve results and lead to cost savings.
Currently we have approximately 445 sworn officers in Anchorage of which 200 serve in patrol. That number places us within the window of being sufficiently, although leanly, staffed. The more important task at present would be the organization and assignments of the officers we do have to address our current problems with street crime. It is also important that we do not relent in our efforts to maintain adequate staffing. We must ensure we keep up with natural attrition.
In 2015, the Police Executive Research Forum reviewed Anchorage’s crime statistics and officers’ workloads, and concluded that Anchorage, which then had 369 sworn officers, should have 446. Today, we are much closer, at about 435. That’s a success story, which has led to real declines in crime across the board. It also allowed the department to extend service to the Turnagain Arm communities and the Seward Highway, after the Troopers left. The focus now should be on better criminal intelligence and investigatory capabilities, as well as improved customer service — activating 311 and outfitting officers with cellphones were commonsense first steps. In the near term, additional staffing should likely be on the non-sworn side — 911 dispatchers, records clerks, etc. — to improve response times.
No. I support APD restructuring of policing career criminals, human trafficking and drug cartels while having an extended social work arm for non-violent calls for help. I support not politicizing our police. It is not their job to be bodyguards for politicians.
According to the last PERF (Police Executive Research Forum) report, Anchorage should have approximately 450 police officers for a city our size. We are not at that level yet. I am committed to keeping APD at the level sufficient to support the effective community policing model.
Questions about staffing can only be answered after the new chief has had an opportunity to assess the department and compare where the departments goals are in relationship to the latest PERF study.
I would evaluate all departments of the Municipality of Anchorage to see what changes, if any, are necessary in these times ahead of us. I would not increase the number of police officers. I would enforce all theft and other laws that exist by the police with regards to actions by the homeless or others. The people of Anchorage are entitled to their property rights as well as others.
Read more questions:
Why are you running for mayor?
What’s the biggest challenge facing city government and how would you address it?
Describe how your administration would approach the coronavirus pandemic
Would you make changes to the Anchorage Police Department and policing policies? Why?
Is the Anchorage Police Department adequately staffed?
Describe, with specifics, how you would expand and diversify Anchorage’s economy.
What’s your vision for Anchorage’s economy in the future?
Is taxation in Anchorage too high/about right/too low?
Do you have ideas for alternative sources of city revenue? Explain.
Are there city programs or services you would cut? Explain.
Are there city programs or services you would expand? Explain.
What’s your view of current Anchorage land-use plans? Would you push for changes?
Name a program dealing with homelessness in Anchorage that you believe is working
Are there specific transportation projects you would initiate in the municipality if elected?