‘It’s not working’ Valley residents voice their concerns about crime

WASILLA — Law enforcement officials, legislators and nearly 200 members of the community gathered at the Wasilla VFW on Thursday to discuss rampant property crime, what is being done and what can be done about it.

Members of the Alaska State Troopers, including Ron Hayes from the AST Criminal Suppression Unit, the Wasilla Police Department and the Palmer Police Department first discussed a list of questions presented to town hall moderators. Palmer Police Chief Lance Ketterling addressed the concerns first, and answered nearly every question on the agenda. Ketterling and his staff patrols the Palmer area of about six square miles and 7,000 people. Horror stories like the one shared by newly minted Mat-Su Borough Assembly Member Jesse Sumner of law enforcement unable to arrest the perpetrator of a crime often occur outside of the city limits of Palmer or Wasilla, inside AST jurisdiction. Ketterling addressed that statistics showing that the Mat-Su Valley has a low number of law enforcement officials per 1,000 people are not always accurate, and the concerning number can be response times.

“We’re frustrated, we’re out there, we’re working. We have five troopers right now covering the Mat-Su Valley, the size of West Virginia,” Hayes said.

Ketterling first noted that nearly any dispute that would be of concern are addressed under Alaska Statute 11.81.330 through 11.81.370, concerning use of force, use of deadly force and duty to retreat. Ketterling noted that it is important that citizens call authorities in the event that they are witnessing crime. He stressed that police officers are doing what they are paid to do, respond to needs and questions. Ketterling defined what police are in search of when responding to a crime.

“Reliable information in sufficient detail that would convince a reasonable person that a crime has been committed and the suspect is the one who committed it,” Ketterling said.

Kettering defined probable cause for the audience, which Mat-Su Borough Assemblyman Jim Sykes counted at 175 people. Ketterling then detailed how to support police with proper evidence.

“Great witnesses are what we need, honest information about what was happening. Video is great, audio is great,” Ketterling said.

Lt. Chris Watchus of the Wasilla Police Department was next up. The crowd of Valley residents have been continually frustrated by property crimes. Sumner nearly began an argument with Ketterling over what citizens who have caught thieves are supposed to do. Sumner had goods stolen that were later posted on the Internet. Sumner posed as a buyer and arranged a meeting with the thief, and invited WPD to the proceeding. Since the crime was not committed in WPD jurisdiction, AST was called. Since AST is required two officers on a call, they had to sit and wait. The thief that stole from Sumner also had a suspended license, according to Sumner. The trooper had to respond to an urgent call and the thief got away, again. Sumner’s frustration with the system was not the only frustration in the crowd on Thursday. Watchus stressed the need to not become an easy target, keep your valuables out of plain sight and keep them locked up. Watchus was posed a question by an owner of a retail establishment who has been stolen from nearly every day about if they should tackle the thieves. Watchus directed them not to do so when chaos nearly broke out.

“It’s not working!” angrily shouted someone from the crowd.

“The system is not working though guys! I’ve been hit over and over and over! I can give you a long list of names and they’re just walking around on the street!” the frustrated man yelled.

Hayes stepped in to empathize with the man.

“Your frustration is our frustration, obviously. We get it. We’re out there every day we’re trying to put cases against these people and do our job, so we understand,” Hayes said.

Hayes pointed to a light at the end of the tunnel. While troopers in the Valley are short staffed, they are expecting seven recruits from the Department of Public Safety Academy in December. Hayes expects twice that number of new officers in March.