Solutions proposed for Jim Creek

MAT-SU -- Shortly after seven reindeer died as a result of gunshot wounds, Borough Manager John Duffy and Mayor Tim Anderson visited Juneau and, in conjunction with other meetings with state officials, spoke with Department of Public Safety Commissioner William Tandeske to work on solutions to problems of illegal shooting in the Butte and Jim Creek area.

"We expressed our desire to have additional trooper presence there -- additional trooper patrols," Duffy said Friday. "We were assured by the commissioner that he would increase the patrols and try to increase the trooper presence."

Alaska State Trooper Captain Dennis Casanovas said he's in the process of setting up a meeting with the different agencies involved at the Jim Creek and Butte area to discuss possible solutions.

"The troopers here in the region hope to meet with a variety of officials in that area," Casanovas said, listing off the Mat-Su Borough, Butte Community Council and District Attorney's office as some of the agencies that may be involved in the discussion. "We'll be seeing what they feel their needs are, and try to see whether or not we can try to help them meet their needs."

Patrols were increased in the area, he said, but not as a result of a request from Tandeske or the borough. A flyer was being distributed at a local school, advertising a free beer party in the area, he said, and there was concern that a large number of teens would be partying in the area.

"We paid officers overtime to be on patrol in the area," Casanovas said. "It was the same sort of thing we do for any community."

Ted Cox, president of the Butte Community Council, said he hasn't noticed additional trooper patrols in the area, but thought it was likely too early to see them. He said although the reindeer shooting may have raised people's awareness of what's going on in the community, it hasn't stopped it.

"I heard [shooting] just last night out at Maud Road," Cox said, "and it looked like there was a party going on out at Mud Lake. But I'm not going to be driving out there to see what's going on when there's gunfire going off."

Cox said he and other community members were optimistic after being told Duffy and Anderson had a warm reception in Juneau, but he has a few reservations.

"I have also heard that Murkowski's going to be asking for a 15-percent cut from Public Safety," Cox said. "It seems like a little bit of politics is being played."

While troopers work with other agencies to decide whether and how additional coverage can be provided, Duffy said the borough is looking into ways to help.

"We're working with the state of Alaska and DNR [the Department of Natural Resources] to try to … find a different designation of the area that will … prohibit shooting," Duffy said. He acknowledged that prohibiting shooting may simply drive illegal shooters elsewhere and said borough staff is also working on establishing legal shooting ranges.

"We're not sure that will help, because these are people who generally don't obey the laws," Duffy said.

Borough code will be scoured, Duffy said, to see if there are ways to increase enforcement in the area for things like junk cars, litter, fireworks and other regular offenses in the area.

Signs will also be put up in the area, reminding visitors that fireworks and unsafe shooting are prohibited in the area, Duffy said. Funding for those signs has already been secured. Funding is also available for a public information campaign to let people in Anchorage and the Valley know what is prohibited in the area, and encourage visitors to treat the scenic area with respect.

Duffy said he's looking into whether patrols of a different kind can be stepped up in the area.

"We're working with the Butte fire service area to see if they can patrol the area on a regular basis," Duffy said. "Because of the lack of moisture we've had overall, we're looking at a very dangerous fire season coming up."

Having firefighters regularly checking the area would make miscreants aware that there's some sort of oversight at the area and may, in itself serve as a deterrent, Duffy said.

Duffy said borough staff are also working to identify funds for some physical improvements in the area such as picnic tables and benches. He said he's hoping those improvements will encourage families to begin using the area more often and, thereby decrease the number of people misusing the area.

"We'll add things in the upcoming budget as well," Duffy said. "What we want to do is institutionalize this so it's not just going to last three months."

Cox said he and other community council members were grateful for the borough's efforts.

"I think it's great," Cox said. "All we're asking for is a little bit of help in making people aware that this is not just and area that's open and they can come out and conduct a free-for-all. There are homes out there!"

On a broader scale, this and other community specific problems have prompted a few loaded questions -- such as, is it time for the borough to institute some sort of municipal police policy?

"We've been asked by a couple community councils to explore that issue," Duffy said. "We're working with them to design a survey."

The survey would ask area residents several questions about the need for additional police protection. In anticipation of an answer, Duffy said options for such coverage are being examined.

"We could contract with the city of Palmer … we could contract with the state troopers to get more of a borough presence," Duffy said. "There's a number of options out there."

In the meantime, Cox said community council members will continue to look for solutions and, ultimately, wait.

"The people I talked to were really positive about the good reception [in Juneau]," Cox said. "Now we're just waiting to see what happens."