Alaska News

Police in Fairbanks must meet new traffic quota

Look out, Interior Alaska, last week the Fairbanks Police Department announced it will require all officers to make a minimum of eight traffic stops a week, according to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Police Chief Laren Zager, who made the announcement through an internal memo, made sure to mention that stops did not need to lead to citations or arrest, but officers are still required to fill the quota.

The idea behind this new number is based on a theory that encounters alone will lead to a decrease in area crime. When police make contact through traffic stops, so the theory goes, it creates the feeling of an increased activity despite the same number of patrols. A community feeling an elevated police presence is less likely to commit petty crimes or engage in rule breaking, according to police.

In his department issued memorandum, Police Chief Zager wrote:

On Monday, Zager told the News-Miner that Fairbanks residents should not expect a major change in enforcement because of the policy, but that they should be aware and considerate of regular traffic rules. The policy is currently in effect.

Read more, here.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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