How Anchorage Mayoral Candidates Answer the Crime Question

In February, PIPELINE sent out a questionnaire to the candidates on a range of topics.  One of the questions, was about Anchorage consistently having a high rate of violent crimes.

It read: “The rate of violent crimes in Anchorage often ranks among the worst in the country. What specifically can you do to change this trend?”

Here’s what the candidates had to say then.

LANCE AHERN:

When you ask officers how to reduce crime you get a very direct answer: “When we arrest the bad guy, don’t let him right back out on the street.” Unfortunately there is a revolving door aspect to the criminal justice system.

ETHAN BERKOWITZ:

Protecting Anchorage’s residents is a core responsibility of the mayor.  A recent interview with an Anchorage Police Department officer described the recent crime wave in Anchorage as “extraordinary”.  As a former prosecutor, I link prevention, policing and prosecution to make our neighborhoods and businesses safer.

DAN COFFEY:

I am not sure the assumption in the question is accurate. However, regardless of that, we must have a fully staffed, well trained and effective police force. Directly answering your question, what I have learned from the police is that drugs are a substantial factor in the recent events.

DUSTIN DARDEN:

Continue to keep communications open with APD and the public with services like Facebook and Nextel that will send you text messages on items of interest such as tracking down suspects and keeping citizens clear of crime scenes. I also encourage personal defense, gun safety and Neighborhood Watch classes for the public, and high doses of prayer.

AMY DEMBOSKI:

We need to make public safety a priority, and ensure adequate APD staffing and resource deployment.

ANDREW HALCRO:

When it comes to crime, there is no silver bullet. Anchorage needs a comprehensive approach to both improve safety and the health of the community. In July of 2010 we had 380 sworn officers on the street. In December 2014, we were down to 323. The first task is to rebuild the police force.

TIMOTHY HUIT:

Our city has become an example of the “Broken Windows Crime Theory”. First, we have let public drunks, vandals, panhandlers, and petty criminals rule our streets. Second, we have failed to respond properly to many property crimes increasing the lawlessness. Finally, by allowing the lesser crimes to go unenforced we have seen our city spiral into more brutal crimes and criminal events.

Read Complete Answers at ALASKA’S POLITICAL PIPELINE

image credit APEonline