Alaska Department of Public Safety Project

Research > Alaska Department of Public Safety Project

Principal investigator(s):	John E. Angell
Other project personnel:	Allan R. Barnes Emily E. Read
Project dates:	Sep 1, 1994 - Mar 15, 1995
JC#:	9506
Agency:	Alaska Department of Public Safety
Project amount:	$70,859
Project status:	Completed

See also:
> Alaska state law enforcement > Alaska Natives & law enforcement

Historically, in both urban and rural Alaska, a traditional police philosophy has guided the provision of services by the Alaska State Troopers. Issues raised about the appropriateness of this philosophy and the effectiveness of reactive public safety operations have stimulated proposals to transform traditional police operations into more effective community-oriented responses and services. It is possible that AST operations can be changed to improve public safety and enhance the division's role in increasing the quality of life in Alaska communities. In order to define the current situation and assess the possibilities for improvement, the Department of Public Safety must have current information on the communities served, the problems faced by each community, and the community expectations and amenability to proactive services.
Conducted for the Alaska Department of Public Safety under a grant from the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, the Alaska Department of Public Safety Project sought to establish baseline data to be used for program development and evaluation in the areas of substance use, violent crime, and public safety in areas of Alaska which fall under the authority of the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Project personnnel directed a statewide public opinion telephone survey of Alaska residents concerning quality of life and public safety issues in Alaska communities served by the Alaska State Troopers. In addition, project personnel conducted site visits to 28 rural Alaska Native villages to interview community leaders and residents regarding quality of life and public safety in rural Alaska.

Products

Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage. (1995). Drug and Alcohol Programs, Data Sources, and Surveys: Component One of Alaska Public Safety Project. Report prepared for the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Anchorage, AK: Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage.

———. (1995). Alaska Public Safety Statewide Survey: Component Two of Alaska Public Safety Project. Report prepared for the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Anchorage, AK: Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage.

———. (1995). Public Safety and Policing in Alaska Native Villages: Component Three of Alaska Public Safety Project. Report prepared for the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Anchorage, AK: Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage.

Articles

Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage. (Summer 1995). "Community Problems in Alaska: Public Perceptions." Alaska Justice Forum 12(2): 1, 5-8.

———. (Fall 1995). "Public Safety and Quality of Life: Alaska Perceptions." Alaska Justice Forum 12(3): 1, 6-8.

———. (Winter 1996). "Village Alaska: Community Characteristics and Public Safety." Alaska Justice Forum 12(4): 1, 6-8.

———. (Spring 1996). "Public Safety: Shared Responsibility." Alaska Justice Forum 13(1): 5-7.

Press releases

Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage. (23 Jan 1996). "Public Perceptions of Crime" (press release). Release of the Alaska Public Safety Statewide Survey report.

———. (17 Mar1996). "Public Safety in Village Alaska" (press release). Release of the report Public Safety and Policing in Alaska Native Villages.

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Last updated 17-Jun-2005 by ayjust@uaa.alaska.edu