Alaska Justice Forum 34(2), Fall2017
Is the rate of property crime increasing in Alaska?
Brad A. Myrstol and Pamela Cravez
Is the rate of property crime increasing in Alaska? Dr. Brad Myrstol developed a series of graphs using data from six Alaska jurisdictions to show it’s a complex question, as described in our video.
Crime rates and Alaska criminal justice reform
Brad A. Myrstol and Pamela Cravez
Definitive conclusions about the impact of Senate Bill 91 on the rate of property crimes in Alaska are not possible for a number of reasons, including that the most current data cover less than six months following implementation of the first phase of the law.
How do you determine the right size of a police department? Don’t look to crime rates
Troy C. Payne
Studies have shown that changing the number of police officers has no effect on crime rates. This article explains why and describes alternative measures.
Crisis Intervention Teams Assist Law Enforcement
Pamela Cravez
CIT is a police-based, first responders’ pre-arrest jail diversion model for individuals
with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder. A new CIT coalition is being
developed in Mat-Su Borough. The online article includes additional information about
specialized police responses.
When mental illness becomes a police matter
Mental illness is not a police matter in and of itself and most people with mental illness (MI) are not involved in the criminal justice system. When police do interact with an individual with MI, care needs to be taken not to label the person as the problem but to focus on behavior that causes harm to self and others.
Editor's Note
Pamela Cravez
In this issue we feature two stories that caution using crime rates as a single factor to determine policy. A story on Crisis Intervention Teams shows how specialized responses are helping law enforcement deal with calls from individuals with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. As always, the Alaska Justice Forum online provides additional stories and features. Sign up!
Fall 2017 print edition
The PDF of the print edition includes full references.