Patrols to begin in Butte

April 15, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH

Frontiersman

BUTTE - Rampant troublemaking in the Knik River Public Use Area near Butte has long been a sore subject for local residents fed up with unchecked parties, burned-out cars and illegal shooting.

But recently, community leaders and government officials have been trying to work together to solve some of the problems in the wide-open wilderness area east of Palmer.

That work took another step forward Saturday during an informal - yet heavily-attended - public meeting at the Butte Volunteer Fire Department, where officials with the Alaska departments of Natural Resources and Public Safety pledged to work more closely with local residents on law enforcement issues.

&#8220We need you as partners, and you need us as partners,” said Walt Monegan, commissioner of Public Safety.

Joining Monegan for the meeting were state wildlife trooper Lt. Tory Oleck, DNR Southcentral Regional Manager Rick Thompson and Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak/Mat-Su, who along with Sen. Charlie Huggins, R-Chugiak/Mat-Su, sponsored legislation designed to bring more control to the area.

Stoltze said the meeting was a good way for him to follow-up with area residents and gauge their response to changes that will result from greater governmental oversight.

&#8220It doesn't just end after sponsoring the bill,” he said.

The men fielded comments and took questions from the crowd on how the state can solve enforcement problems in the area.

The state is currently reviewing a number of management alternatives for the area and is seeking public comment on how Butte residents would like to see the area managed. During Saturday's meeting, the message from local residents was loud and clear: What's needed isn't more rules, but a more visible law enforcement presence.

Attendees peppered the officials with a wide range of ideas, ranging from putting up night vision cameras and publishing violators' names in the newspaper to posting a full-time trooper in the area. Most seemed to believe that if troopers make themselves visible, much of the problems - most notably, illegal shooting and the burning of vehicles - will dissipate.

&#8220When they know the heat's on, they go somewhere else,” one woman said.

Both Monegan and Thompson said they have plans to keep a closer watch on the area. But they've got a problem - there simply aren't enough state troopers to go around.

Monegan said there are currently 57 trooper positions funded by the state that are unfilled.

The issue, Thompson added, is that there aren't enough qualified applicants to fill the positions. He said word needs to spread that good candidates are sorely needed.

&#8220If you know of quality people out there, we are willing to give them a chance,” Thompson said.

Some in attendance suggested that the state work more actively within the high schools to try and mentor youngsters interested in a career in law enforcement. Teen Trevor Ish said he believes educational programs would be a big help in getting more young Alaskans into the field.

&#8220Maybe it would get more kids thinking about doing it when they turned 19,” Ish said.

Monegan said another way residents can help is by notifying troopers when they observe illegal activity.

&#8220The best kind of enforcement is when we operate as a team,” he said.

Monegan said this summer the plan is to increase trooper presence in the area as much as possible. He pledged that area residents and those using the recreation area will likely feel a greater law enforcement presence this season.

&#8220We will be here as much and as often as we are able to,” he said.

Butte resident Kenney Sexton helped form a neighborhood watch program in the area. She said she believes the state is doing its best to address concerns in the area.

&#8220I thought the meeting was excellent,” she said. &#8220We're all pulling together.”

Sexton said the continuing dialogue between the state and local residents gives her confidence that officials are indeed interested in cleaning up the area.

&#8220They're willing to work with us, and I want to work with them,” she said.

In addition to strengthening ties between law enforcement and the public, the meeting also may have forged a stronger bond between the state and local police. Palmer Mayor John Combs said his city's police have in the past worked with troopers in areas near town, and said it might be possible to recruit some of his officers to help out in the Butte.

&#8220It's not very far to get out here,” he said.

Combs said he plans to bring up the idea of using Palmer police to supplement troopers in the public-use area, and said one way that could be accomplished would be to have Palmer officers work overtime paid by the state.

&#8220I'll bring it up with the chief,” Combs said.

As the meeting came to a close, Monegan pledged to meet with community members in the future to discuss law enforcement. He said he plans to make the issue a top priority.

&#8220You should not feel in fear in your own back yard,” he said.

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com