LETTER: Mat-Su Borough Mayor’s letter to Gov. Walker concerning lawlessness in Williwaw subdivision

Mat-Su Borough Mayor’s letter to Gov. Walker concerning lawlessness in Williwaw subdivision

Dear Governor Walker,

On Tuesday, March 20, 2018 our Borough Assembly heard heartbreaking testimony from residents in the well-known Williwaw Subdivision in Wasilla. Residents fear for their safety on a 24 hour a day basis in their homes. Over a dozen citizens testified, including one young school girl. Through her tears, this young girl relayed that men are living in cars on the streets and she said " ... I'm afraid to go walking in my neighborhood because I'm afraid of being kidnapped or something else." Several parents stated they fear their children walking to the bus stop. One woman stated her home has been broken into four times.

Borough Assemblymember Ted Leonard visited the neighborhood last week and was stunned to witness firsthand what appeared to be criminal activity boldly happening 15 feet away from him. This subdivision, comprised of over 380 homes, falls outside the City of Wasilla resulting in our only means of public protection comes from our State Troopers. This area is notorious for crime, which includes drug paraphernalia, drug use, drug trafficking, theft, assault, and murder, among only some of the kinds of criminal behavior.

While weary citizens arc stepping up and willing to get involved to help clean up their subdivision, this area needs urgent regular and serious police attention to counter the criminal element. Criminals seem to be running the area, are conducting criminal activities virtually with impunity with a complete disregard for the rules of civilized behavior. The decent citizens of the neighborhood are rightfully scared and are asking for police help to curb the crime and stop the lawlessness in their area.

Can you please help us?

— Vern Halter

Mayor, Matanuska-Susitna Borough