WASILLA -- Locals weary of gunfire cheered news that Alaska State Troopers will mount regular weekend patrols of the Knik River including Jim Creek to combat the legendary lawlessness in the scenic area.
The decision to ramp up patrols came days after a heated public meeting in the Butte. Locals, gathered to talk about the new state Knik River Public Use Area, instead clamored for more troopers to enforce existing laws, never mind new rules in the works.
Patrols began last weekend, according to Alaska Wildlife Troopers Lt. Tory Oleck, who attended the Butte meeting and reported the concerns about law enforcement back to his commanders.
Troopers will monitor the main access points to the Knik public-use area, such as Sullivan Avenue, Maud Road and the Old Glenn Highway bridge. The new policy comes as the agency struggles with staffing shortages.
To fill the patrols, Oleck said, he will ask for volunteers from the wildlife and state troopers at area posts. If nobody steps up, he said, he'll start making assignments. Some weekends there will be more troopers out than others.
Oleck credited locals with prompting the decision to increase patrols -- "their voices were heard" -- but also said they were part of his long-range plans for spending money that came with the new state recreational area.
State money budgeted for the area included $180,000 a year for law enforcement added by Sen. Lyda Green, a Wasilla Republican, said Brit Lively, a Butte community activist.
The money paid for two new four-wheelers to give patrols greater access to the 260,000-acre Knik territory, state officials said.
But locals saw no corresponding increase in trooper presence, Lively and others have said. They did see the usual problems continue: huge, drunken parties on the flats; car burnings; explosions; gunfire; garbage; and environmental damage.
Oleck told Lively about the new patrols last Friday, she said. "We were very happy about it."
The news also cheered tour operator Tom Faussett, who runs small groups to the Knik Glacier in an airboat.
Clients, especially Europeans, get a little spooked when they finally get to the glacier only to find people who drove all the way in four-wheelers just to drink a few beers -- and shoot at icebergs, Faussett said.
"I'm showing them this incredible natural wonder and then off to my left I'll start hearing gunshots," he said.
Reporter Zaz Hollander can be reached at the Daily News Wasilla office at zhollander@adn.com or 352-6711.
