Evicting Homeless Campers, Muni's Projected Deficit

Bill McAllister and Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan discuss homelessness, municipality's financial stability and safety concerns at The Dome.

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Jun 23, 2011 at 1:52 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 6, 2012 at 11:04 AM AKDT

Homeless


  • Multi-pronged campaign

  • Fining drivers for luring panhandlers into roadways

  • Clearing out illegal camps; invading camps, evicting homeless

  • Plans to follow up after 15-day notices issued; citing misuse of public spaces


  • Targeted largest, most disruptive camps



Relocation concerns


  • Evictees “pretty cooperative”

  • Responding officers discuss housing, medical needs; coordinate resource contact

  • Issuing outstanding warrants where applicable

  • Extending “humane approach”


Increasing monetary incentive for information of APD officer shooting


  • Doubled reward from $25,000 to $50,000 for info regarding Anchorage Police Officer Jason Allen shot on duty in Fairview 18 months ago

  • “We want closure on this case”


Role of Egan Center


  • Playing a smaller role since construction of Dena’ina Center

  • A common cargo-staging area for tourists in summer

  • Continues to host events; well-utilized convention center


Cancellation of concert at the Dome


  • No sprinklers a public safety issue

  • Municipality’s responsibility to make sure public spaces are safe

  • Permitting process should have preceded promotion of event

  • Would require sprinklers, different internal structure to be up to code for non-sports events


Public availability of dispatch reports


  • Factors that go into decision to release reports

  • Analyze attorneys and make recommendation from police and legal


Wildfire in hillside



  • Long-range planning

  • “Ongoing concern, ongoing action plan”

  • Buffers around homes, clear out overgrowth and brush

  • Educate homeowners

  • Extending waterlines from utility


Municipal financial stability


  • Preliminary analysis indicates muni approaching $50 million deficit

  • Revenues not keeping up with city expenditures

  • Layoffs expected


Looming vetoes from governor’s office


  • Operating budget cuts, concerns

  • Governor seeking to cut $4 million in projects

  • About 16 to 18 percent of budget going to 41 percent of state population

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Somebody asked me for some money the other day said on Saturday, Jul 2 at 9:20 PM

He and two others were waiting at a bus stop, I was heading to my car in nearby parking lot. He said they were short $1.50. I said; "Okay, but you all have to sing to me." One native woman sang me a song in her native language - beautiful. Then I made a request for a simple, fun song, and suddenly all four of us are singing and laughing together. I had a great time for a $1.50, they had their bus fare, and were now 'professional singers.' Win/win/win.

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Jan Fisk said on Saturday, Jul 2 at 9:16 PM

"If you're found in a camp a second time there will be a citation." WHAT!?!?!?! How can you punish/fine a homeless person? They don't have money to pay fines. And do we want to pay to house them in jail - where'll they'll get three hots and a cot. I didn't know it was a crime to be homeless.

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