Safer Alaska, Building Resilient Communities

Public Safety Action Plan

For the last several years, crime has been steadily increasing across Alaska. To address these troubling trends, Governor Walker tasked the State’s public safety agencies to develop the Public Safety Action Plan. Read More...

Recently published 2016 crime statistics starkly highlight the gravity of the ongoing public safety problem. In the past year, both property crimes and violent crimes have continued to increase. Among property crimes, there were particularly striking increases in larceny and vehicle thefts from 2015 to 2016. Most concerning, Alaska continues to have the highest rate of violent crime in the country. Recently published 2016 crime statistics starkly highlight the gravity of the ongoing public safety problem. In the past year, both property crimes and violent crimes have continued to increase. Among property crimes, there were particularly striking increases in larceny and vehicle thefts from 2015 to 2016. Most concerning, Alaska continues to have the highest rate of violent crime in the country.

To address these troubling trends, Governor Walker tasked the State’s public safety agencies with evaluating the causes of the rise in crime and developing a concrete action plan. Taking on a multi-faceted and complex challenge, this Public Safety Action Plan focuses efforts in four main areas:

Improving outcomes in the criminal justice system;
Identifying public safety resource needs, particularly for rural communities;
Improving access to mental health and substance abuse treatment; and
Addressing the opioid epidemic and drug trafficking.

For each of these areas, state agencies have identified both short-term efforts to improve public safety as well as potential future or long-term actions to evaluate. Further, recognizing that the challenges of providing public safety services are, and have long been, particularly acute in the many small communities not connected to the road system, the Plan also reflects focused attention on developing tools and partnerships to more effectively serve these areas. As new challenges develop, Alaska’s public safety agencies will remain committed to working with tribal, municipal, and federal partners, as well as the legislature and courts, to establish and implement best practices to build a stronger and safer Alaska.

Improving Outcomes in the Criminal Justice System

Improving Access to Mental Health and Substance Ab

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic and Drug Trafficking

Public Safety Timeline

April 16, 2018 Sexual Assault Kit Initiative

April 2, 2018 Governor reallocates approximately $10 million towards the creation of a statewide 911 dispatch service

March 30, 2018 Municipality, State partner to prosecute priority cases and increase prosecution of felonies in Anchorage, particularly for domestic violence and property offenses

March 2018 Governor meets with students and stakeholders to review school safety in Alaska and make recommendations to prevent violence.

February 5, 2018, Statewide drug prosecutor, Katholyn Runnels, hired to focus on large-scale drug deals fueling the opioid epidemic.

January 2018 Governor submits a package of crime bills and a proposed budget to the State Legislature that focuses on investing in public safety.

We can all agree that our children are the future of Alaska. While Alaskans are tough, resourceful, and independent, we need a cohesive strategy to ensure that our schools are havens of safety. In March 2018, I held a series of meetings throughout the state relating to this issue. Based on these meetings and continuing feedback, here are some of the measures we will be implementing to make our schools safer:

Implementing a statewide, centralized 911 dispatch center with texting capabilities;
Implementing a training resource for schools to enhance student engagement in school safety;
Holding a school safety convening for the fall of 2018;
Surveying districts via a “School Safety Gap Analysis;” and
Increasing access to mental health services.

School safety is of vital importance to all of us. These are only a few steps. We welcome your thoughts and feedback. Feel free to contact our office at safer.alaska@alaska.gov.

Clemency

In January 2018, a new clemency process was introduced for the State of Alaska. All individuals seeking clemency must submit a new, signed, updated application and waivers to the Alaska Board of Parole. Applications must be mailed or emailed to the Alaska Board of Parole at:

550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1800
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
clemency@alaska.gov

All applications received by the Governor’s Office will be redirected to the Alaska Board of Parole. More information on the updated clemency process is available here.

The new, updated application is available here.

Building a Safer Alaska Poster Contest

In commemoration of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October 2017) and Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness Month (April 2018), we invite all Alaskan youth to engage in creating a positive message about respect and healthy relationships. Read more about the contest details.