Anchorage residents will vote on candidates for six open seats on the 11-member Anchorage Assembly in the April 1 municipal election. To give readers a better sense of who they'd be voting for, the Anchorage Daily News asked each of the 13 hopefuls a series of questions on their backgrounds and on key issues facing the city.
Answers by candidates to select questions will be published in daily editions of the Anchorage Daily News leading up to the election.
Question for the Assembly candidates:
IF YOU WERE THE ANCHORAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF, WHAT'S ONE THING YOU WOULD DO TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY?
WEST ANCHORAGE
Phil Isley: Try to have officers living in all areas of town.
Tim Steele: Hire and train enough officers to adequately fill the needs.
EAGLE RIVER-CHUGIAK
Bill Starr: Community based policing with officers consistently assigned to specific locations, perhaps even their own neighborhood.
Sharon Gibbons: I would increase officers to keep communities safe and crime levels down.
MIDTOWN
Elvi Gray-Jackson: I would attempt to follow the recommendations from the PERF report, which would involve a move toward community policing; increase in police staff.
DOWNTOWN-MOUNTAIN VIEW
Patrick Flynn: Increase community policing activity.
Mark Martinson: Community involvement in police activities so the public can help to bring criminals to justice. This can only be done if there are enough police on the street to communicate with the public and establish a real presence.
EAST ANCHORAGE
Adam Trombley: Additional police patrol during bar break.
Pete Petersen: I will repeal AO-37. It has destroyed police morale, hurt recruitment efforts, and shrunk the police force to its lowest level in years.
Mao Tosi: I would strengthen my relationship with the many communities represented in our diverse city.
SOUTH ANCHORAGE
Pete Nolan: Increase minimum manning and upgrade communication systems to ensure emergency communication with (Anchorage Fire Department) and (Alaska State Troopers).
Bill Evans: The amount spent on public safety is sufficient. The question is whether there are barriers preventing the ideal allocation of resources?
Bruce Dougherty: I think our police chief and police officers do the best they can. Responsibility for our greatest failings lies with the Assembly and City Hall.
Anchorage Daily News staff
Anchorage
Alaska Dispatch Publishing