Borough Assembly calls for repeal of SB91

PALMER — On a night with a relatively light agenda, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly voted seven-to-none in favor of a resolution calling for the repeal of the state’s new criminal justice reform law.

In recent weeks, Senate Bill 91, which was passed last year, has become the hottest topic in Alaska politics amidst a spike in property crimes. That debate made its way to the assembly chambers in Palmer on Tuesday.

Assembly Members Kowalke, Mayfield, and Leonard sponsored the resolution, which initially called solely for the repeal of SB 91.

Before assembly discussion, three people spoke about the state’s omnibus crime bill. Former state senator Bill Stoltze decried the attempt at criminal justice reform as being built on a faulty foundation. He said it was rushed through the legislature, and amounted to a bipartisan mistake in need of a bipartisan solution. Regarding the recent increase in property crimes, Stoltze said, “The people in the Valley and the rest of the state are more acutely aware of the consequences of that bill, certainly much more than gets realized in Juneau in its isolation.”

Senate Bill 91 has become the focus of Alaskans frustrated with an increase in property crime. Meadow Lakes Community Council President Patty Fisher said regarding the increase in crime, “The causes are a perfect storm of a downturn in the economy, the drug epidemic, inadequate laws dealing with criminals, and a lack of adequate police coverage.” While Fisher said she is not opposed to neighborhood watch groups, she said comments from members of the Meadow Lakes Community Council area “almost border on vigilantism.” Fisher suggested steps including creation of a crime task force, which she said should include citizens of unincorporated areas of the borough, a crime map based on 9-1-1 dispatch data, and urging the state to fill currently vacant positions within the Alaska State Troopers.

Eileen Patterson said she works with those dealing with pain issues and those recovering from addiction. She referenced the research that went into the crafting of SB 91, particularly a brief compiled by the Pew Charitable Trust. Patterson said that individual stories from the victims of property crimes were drowning out the significant amount of research into crime and recidivism in the state. She also pointed out that she has been the victim of a nonviolent crime.

When the assembly took up the resolution supporting the repeal of SB 91, Assembly Members Barbara Doty and Jim Sykes both attempted to add language before passage. Neither spoke against repeal, but wanted the resolution to emphasize other measures they believed should be taken. Assembly Member Doty wanted to encourage the Alaska Legislature to provide criminal justice reform that would promote access to mental health and substance abuse treatment, reduce recidivism, and help ensure the financial security of Alaskans. Assembly Member Sykes agreed with those additions, but also wanted language that encouraged education and neighborhood watch programs. Both amendments ultimately failed.

Assembly Members Dan Mayfield and Ted Leonard both said that their recent experience on the campaign trail sent a clear message that Valley residents are frustrated with crime, and that much of that public blame falls on SB 91. Leonard acknowledged that there is a need for mental health treatment and transitional programs for former inmates attempting to re-enter society, but added that the resolution should be a clear message to the legislature of the borough’s support for repeal of the new crime law.

Assembly Member Mayfield ultimately crafted a compromise by adding a clause to the resolution calling for future legislation to address mental health treatment, drug rehabilitation, and recidivism issues while leaving the call for repeal untouched.

Assembly Member George McKee spoke against any change to the resolution, but Mayfield’s compromise satisfied nearly all of the other members of the Assembly. Ultimately, all members voted for the resolution.