Anchorage is at a turning point. For years, residents have voiced concerns about public safety and for great reason. A combination of factors – staffing shortages within the police department, a strained court system, and evolving challenges related to homelessness and substance abuse – created a sense of unease and, for some, genuine fear. But the narrative is beginning to shift. A concerted effort to rebuild Anchorage’s public safety infrastructure, from bolstering police ranks to streamlining prosecutions and addressing underlying societal issues, is showing tangible results. This isn’t about quick fixes or empty promises; it’s about a sustained, data-driven approach to making our city safer for everyone.
My background informs this perspective deeply. Before serving on the Anchorage Assembly, I dedicated my career to public service – as a United States Marine, an Alaska State Trooper, and a volunteer firefighter. Each of those roles reinforced a fundamental principle: protecting the public requires dedication, professionalism, and a willingness to confront challenges head-on. When I was elected three years ago, I made a clear commitment to prioritize public safety, and I believe the progress we’re seeing now demonstrates that commitment is being fulfilled.
Rebuilding the Anchorage Police Department
The most visible aspect of this effort has been the rebuilding of the Anchorage Police Department (APD). Years of staffing declines had stretched resources thin, impacting response times and investigative capabilities. Before 2023, the last full police academy class graduated in 2020, creating a significant gap in personnel. Recognizing this critical need, we’ve focused on aggressive recruitment and training. We’ve now seen back-to-back full academy graduating classes, and another is scheduled for June 2026, according to the city’s official plan. If we maintain this momentum, APD is projected to be fully staffed by the finish of the year, bringing much-needed relief to officers and improving our ability to respond to calls for service.
But simply adding officers isn’t enough. We’ve also invested in equipping them with the tools they need to succeed. In September 2025, the department signed its largest technology contract in history, encompassing next-generation Tasers, drone technology, and a network of strategically placed security cameras. These tools are designed to enhance officer safety and improve investigative capabilities, particularly in areas where residents have expressed concerns about crime.
Targeting Retail Theft and Addressing Systemic Issues
Beyond general staffing, we’ve focused on specific crime trends. Organized retail theft, for example, had become a significant problem, impacting businesses and creating a sense of lawlessness. In late 2025, we established a dedicated retail theft unit within APD. In just a few months, officers made over 148 arrests, recovered more than $100,000 in stolen property, and secured over 20 felony indictments. The impact is already being felt: calls for service at high-theft retail locations have dropped by roughly a third, according to Alaska’s News Source.
Recognizing that not every call requires a sworn officer, we also created 19 Community Service Officer (CSO) positions. These CSOs handle non-emergency calls – assisting motorists, directing traffic, conducting foot patrols – freeing up sworn officers to focus on more serious crimes. This strategic allocation of resources helps to improve overall response times and address a wider range of community needs.
Strengthening the Justice System and Addressing Root Causes
Effective law enforcement is only half the equation. For years, a backlog in the court system hampered our ability to hold offenders accountable. Hundreds of cases were dismissed due to prosecutors’ inability to meet speedy trial deadlines. This was a frustrating situation for officers, victims, and the community as a whole. Thankfully, that issue is being addressed. Increased staffing at the Municipal Prosecutor’s Office, finalized by early 2025, has resolved the speedy trial dismissal problem. The results are striking: from March 2024 to February 2025, Anchorage recorded 2,276 municipal convictions. That number jumped to 3,904 from March 2025 to February 2026 – a 71% increase, as reported by the Anchorage Daily News.
We’ve also taken steps to address the complex issue of homelessness and its impact on public safety. The camping ordinance adopted in July 2025, which prohibits camping around parks, playgrounds, trails, and schools, is designed to create safer public spaces and connect individuals experiencing homelessness with needed services. As of March 2026, there have been 54 arrests related to the ordinance, 355 instances of compliance, and 29 individuals connected to services. More than 35 encampments have been cleared since the mayor took office, and currently, there are no large, entrenched encampments within the city.
Preparing for the Future
Public safety extends beyond responding to crime; it also means preparing for disasters. The Anchorage Fire Department now has a fully staffed and operational Wildfire Division for the first time in 15 years. We’ve also invested millions of dollars in removing beetle-killed trees and other fuel sources, reducing the risk of wildfires and protecting our neighborhoods and firefighters.
The progress we’ve made is undeniable. Police staffing is increasing, prosecutions are succeeding, organized retail theft is being targeted, encampments are being reduced, and wildfire risks are being mitigated. These aren’t just talking points; they are tangible results that are making Anchorage a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.
The question isn’t whether Anchorage is safer today than it was yesterday – the answer is a resounding yes. The question now is: what’s next? We will continue to invest in our police department, support our prosecutors, and address the underlying causes of crime. The Anchorage Assembly will be reviewing proposed budget allocations for public safety in June 2026, and public input will be crucial.
I encourage you to stay informed, get involved, and share your thoughts on how we can continue to build a safer and more vibrant Anchorage. Let’s continue this vital conversation.
