Television interview with Palmer man interrupted by vandalism

PALMER — Former interim Palmer City Council member Imran Chaudhry was confronted with perils of an issue he was working to bring to the spotlight.

While being interviewed by KTUU at the Amoosement Park for a story on the measure he submitted to provide dirty hypodermic needle disposal throughout the city of Palmer, a group of individuals smashed the back windshield of the marked KTUU vehicle.

“I think it just reiterates that this needs to happen,” Chaudhry said.

Chaudry served as an interim member of the council from August to October. In his last act as interim council member, Chaudhry submitted a measure to provide dirty needle disposal throughout the city of Palmer. The measure has been picked up by councilwoman Sabrena Combs and will be presented at the next meeting of the Palmer City Council.

Formerly employed by the Alaskan Aids Assistance Association, Chaudhry had hoped to partner the city of Palmer with the AAAA to position one of their mobile dropoff vans within the city of Palmer, keeping dirty needles off the streets. Chaudhry filed a report with the Palmer Police Department and said that the KTUU reporter whose vehicle was damaged got footage of the assailant that will aid in prosecution. Chaudhry sees a connection between the crime he is working to prevent and the crime that confronted him on Wednesday.