Dunleavy’s focus on public safety is welcome

It is encouraging to see the priority that Gov. Mike Dunleavy has attached to public safety in Alaska. This is a welcome and important challenge to tackle during these next four years.

Public safety is an issue that all Alaskans can get behind. It is a unifying and cohesive topic that the state, federal and local governments can work together to address. That partnership between all levels of government will be crucial to the governor’s success.

Alaskans know what it feels like to see increasing crime trends, to experience firsthand the effects of an opioid epidemic, and to live through or wait anxiously as an earthquake shakes the largest-populated region of the state. Alaskans understand the massive economic and social disruptions that these events cause. In each of these cases the first responders are municipal employees, augmented by state resources. We can be proud of this cooperation and the emergency response capabilities we have, even as we work toward greater law enforcement capacity and judicial coordination.

During this next session and in the years to come, it will be encouraging to see a state agenda that includes municipalities, and that multiple levels of government can work together to achieve. A public safety agenda should include a combination of increased or enhanced policing, strengthened emergency preparation, and strategies that address mental health and social challenges. Such an agenda will contribute to what should be a well-rounded and comprehensive approach to public safety. This agenda includes not only adding to our existing capacity across all regions of Alaska but developing and strengthening competency and capabilities at all levels and to achieve shared goals.

Municipal governments in Alaska spend more on public safety together than the state alone but between both levels of government – and utilizing federal resources – this agenda should be successful in overcoming the challenges, risks and threats facings Alaskans. Municipalities must be at the table.

Seventy-three of 165 municipalities have police powers, which leaves a large number supported by Alaska State Troopers; some are lucky to have a Village Public Safety Officer.

The Municipality of Anchorage employs more police officers than the state has troopers.

The North Slope Borough has police officers in each of its communities, and the region has no state troopers.

Municipalities manage as many correctional facilities as the state, supported by state funding.

The Alaska Municipal League believes it can work with the state of Alaska to leverage federal attention on and response to the opioid epidemic, including to take advantage of recent announcements by the Trump administration and Congress to help in this approach. Alaska can work to better understand the linkages between this crisis and increasing crime trends, including to identify where and how to make a difference and to prioritize necessary investments both in capacity-building and the asset allocation.

Criminal justice reform and emergency management is a national priority as well. The National Association of Counties has recognized Congress’ work to reauthorize (for the first time since 2002) the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act, and within the Farm Bill to include the Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs Act, which will establish a new grant program for rural emergency medical services. The Council of State Governments is working on Justice Reinvestment, which focuses on a data-driven approach to identify the drivers of rising costs and develop practical solutions. At the same time, Congress, has been working on criminal justice reform. Alaskans, as usual, will need to tailor national efforts to fit local needs.

Alaska residents should be well prepared and feel confident in the experience and expertise of their emergency response, judicial and law enforcement systems, including to know that resources are in place to confront public safety and health emergencies. Public safety stakeholders, including local governments, can work with Gov. Dunleavy and the incoming public safety team to address these issues and to work towards solutions in the best interests of Alaskans. It will require state and municipal resources to make this priority achievable and sustainable for the long-term.

Nils Andreassen is the executive director of the Alaska Municipal League, which has highlighted public safety as one of its priorities to address in the coming years.

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