OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Anchorage Assembly Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting on Police Technology, Diversion, and Title 8

Assembly & Committee Meetings — Wednesday, March 4, 2026
BodyAnchorage, Alaska
SessionAssembly & Committee Meetings
DateWednesday, March 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:25

All right.

0:26

I'm going to call this uh meeting of the assembly public health and safety committee to order.

0:32

It is 1102, and we'll start with member introductions.

0:37

Um on the phone.

0:40

We have Aaron Baldwin Day.

0:44

Present, thank you.

0:46

And we have member Jared Goker.

0:53

And um I am Yaro Silvers.

0:58

Uh today on the agenda, we have an update from the Anchorage Police Department.

1:04

Um, would you like to introduce yourself for the record and start?

1:07

Uh Sean Case, uh Anchorage Police Department, Chief Police.

1:16

See if this is gonna work.

1:19

Uh-oh.

1:25

It just worked a minute ago.

1:28

All right, we're gonna have to press the button for me.

1:31

All right, I'm gonna start with uh some of the technology updates that we have.

1:37

Sorry, Liza, the there's a lot of button pushing over there.

1:45

There we go.

1:47

Okay, uh start off with Body Worn Camera, the fourth version of Body Worn cameras in the next month.

1:53

Those body worn cameras will be coming online.

1:55

They're here in town.

1:56

Uh and a couple of the just for a kind of background knowledge, a couple of the options that are available in the body worn camera for that I think we're all interested in that we will have to come up with a way to pay for is translation services, is at the top of the list.

2:13

So the body worn camera itself will recognize any time an officer comes in contact with somebody that is not speaking English, and it will immediately translate back and forth between uh whatever language is spoken and the English speaking officer if that's if the officer can't speak whatever language they're um they're uh listening to.

2:34

That also applies to dispatch as well.

2:36

So that service would allow dispatch to have immediate translation service in calls for service.

2:42

I know that I've fielded a couple calls from a couple of the assembly members over the last several months where uh you know we have to transfer to the language line, and that takes some time and time is quite valuable in dispatch.

2:55

Uh so the additional upgrade on top of the body worn camera four uh would get translation services immediate.

3:03

Uh the system would recognize just like the body worn camera if somebody calls in is speaking a different language.

3:08

So uh we are working to try to find some money to add that.

3:13

I have a question real quick.

3:15

Can you just um speak for the public?

3:18

Um you said we're on version four of the body worn worn cameras.

3:22

The contract uh replaces the body worn cameras, or could you just talk about that a little bit so that people understand?

3:29

Yeah, so our contract that we had started with uh body worn camera three, so the third model, and the contract that we signed over the course of five years will change, will get upgrade us to the latest version.

3:41

I believe it's every two years.

3:42

I think we have one more in this five-year contract, so about midpoint, it'll upgrade to the whatever the next latest, probably the body worn camera five.

3:50

And so we we assure that we always have the latest technology.

3:54

Thank you.

3:55

You bet.

3:56

Next slide, please.

4:00

Okay, well taser 10 is what the next thing that's gonna pop up there.

4:05

And we have uh switch to the new taser model that was part of the the technology contract uh that allows just as to refresh everyone's memory.

4:14

It almost doubles the standoff distance between the old uh taser, we refer to as an electronic control weapon versus the new one.

4:22

So that allows officers uh to have substantially more distance than they used to be able to have.

4:27

Uh approximately 40 to 42 feet.

4:31

And um certainly distance means time to make better decisions.

4:35

So that is implemented out in the field.

4:37

Uh the next thing is less lethal rounds.

4:40

We have added um a new projectile that we can use at distance.

4:46

So think of the officer now being able to stand back even substantially further than the 45 foot from the taser 10 and use a projectile again, gaining more cover, more concealment, more distance uh with the individual.

5:00

Both the Taser 10 as well as the projectiles that are up on the screen right there, where you're really going to see an impact is where somebody has an object, a knife, a bat, uh steel post, something like that that can be used in the weapon and they're threatening to use it.

5:15

And now we will we'll be able to use these tools at greater distance with higher rate of success uh than we have in the past, which means uh less likely to have to use a lethal force and response.

5:26

Both of those products are on the field.

5:29

Uh drones' first responder is another piece of the technology that uh was in the technology uh that passed in October, I believe.

5:39

And we are currently in the process of onboarding these drones as first responders.

5:46

Uh, we're currently uh locating the spot where we'll put up our radar system so that we can identify any um anything that is in flight, whether they are registered or not, and that's an important piece before we go live with this program.

6:00

Uh so we will continue working down that road to get these live.

6:03

We think probably by June, we should be live with our drones first responder program.

6:07

And just as a reminder, we have three of these drones that see that you see pictured, which are roof mounted uh drones and they're launched from real-time crime center.

6:16

And then license plate readers.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████49%
Technology and Innovation███████████████████████████29%
Public Engagement███████8%
Affordable Housing████4%
Personnel Matters███3%
Meeting Procedures███3%
Data Management██2%
Code Enforcement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Anchorage Assembly Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting on Police Technology, Diversion, and Title 8

On March 4, 2026, the Assembly Public Health and Safety Committee met to receive an update from the Anchorage Police Department (APD). The meeting covered a range of topics including new policing technologies, a new diversion program, enforcement of Title 8 (the updated criminal code), and public testimony on enforcement and housing issues.

Consent Calendar

  • None.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jamie Lopusy Sandres, formerly homeless, testified that APD was citing people for walking in the street when sidewalks were buried in snow, alleging at least five cases on one night in Mountain View. She provided video evidence of two citations and a snow-filled sidewalk. She also criticized the anti-camping dashboard, stating that out of 463 voluntary compliances, only 37 accepted services, calling the program ineffective and traumatizing. She asked the Assembly to limit enforcement of walking-in-roadway laws to arterials only.
  • Sophia O'Neill, a resident of Eagle River, described her struggles with an unlivable apartment, noting she continued paying rent while living elsewhere to allow repairs. She expressed frustration with code enforcement and urged better landlord accountability.
  • Michelle Wozniak, calling in, questioned whether APD's policy 7.07 on the real-time crime center (RTCC) has moved from draft. She raised concerns about surveillance technology being used against First Amendment activities, data sharing with federal partners, and the lack of strong civil liberties safeguards in the draft policy.

Discussion Items

APD Technology Updates

  • Body Worn Cameras (BWC version 4): Chief Sean Case announced the arrival of the fourth-generation body cameras. A key upgrade allows real-time translation for non-English speakers, both for officers and dispatch. The department is seeking funding for this feature.
  • Taser 10: The new Taser model, already in the field, doubles standoff distance (to approximately 40–45 feet), improving safety and reducing the need for lethal force.
  • Less Lethal Rounds: A new projectile allows officers to engage threats at even greater distances, particularly when subjects are armed with objects like knives or bats, reducing the likelihood of lethal force.
  • Drones First Responder: The program is being onboarded. A radar system is being installed to identify all aircraft in the area. The program is expected to go live by June 2026. Three roof-mounted drones will be launched from the real-time crime center.
  • License Plate Readers (LPRs): APD has completed an extensive work process addressing privacy and data access concerns. All readers will be mobile (dash-mounted), not stationary. Data is automatically purged after 14 days unless tied to an ongoing criminal investigation, in which case it is preserved as evidence. The system only hits on vehicles loaded into a standalone database (e.g., stolen vehicles, those wanted for violent felonies). The department will begin testing within 30 days.
  • Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) – FUSUS: The RTCC is partially operational. Chief Case cited a recent bank robbery where the center identified the suspect via cameras and had the person in custody within seven minutes—before the bank even called to report the crime.

Diversion/Deflection Program

  • Chief Case presented the new diversion program, which uses a third-party provider (navigator) selected through an RFP. The program targets individuals aged 18+ for municipal crimes (excluding domestic violence and OUI initially) who have behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders (including alcohol), or mental health disorders. Participation is voluntary.
  • The navigator would screen, direct to services (e.g., detox, treatment), and provide case management. Participants can re-enter the program if they fail, recognizing that recovery often requires multiple attempts. If they drop out, they revert to the normal criminal justice system.
  • Comparison with Lane County, Oregon: Lane County runs a comparable program with a 32% success rate and about 23 participants per month. Chief Case aims for 20–30 participants per month in Anchorage, with a 20% success rate considered successful. The Lane County program has a $2 million annual budget; Anchorage's initial grant is $400,000 for calendar year 2026, provided with help from the Health Department.
  • Staffing: The program will require a team of at least four navigators. The 400,000 grant is expected to cover initial operations, but scaling up will need more funding.
  • Integration: The program is designed to integrate with existing municipal services, including the new computer system being built to link partners and track individuals.
  • Capacity Gaps: Chief Case noted that crisis stabilization beds could be used as transitional housing, but some partners worry about filling all beds immediately. He remains optimistic.

Title 8 (Criminal Code Update) Enforcement

  • The updated Title 8 is expected to go live in 7–10 days, pending court system upload of charges.
  • APD is already running an overtime detail (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) in the downtown corridor, expected to run through September, for foot patrol and Title 8 enforcement.
  • Dashboard: A dashboard will be produced once the new CAD/RMS system is operational. For now, data will be provided to the committee.
  • Comparison to Camping Ordinance: Chief Case anticipates a similar enforcement pattern: low arrests initially, then a rise, then a drop. He predicts significant results in 6–9 months, possibly sooner given the camping ordinance's success.
  • Officer Training: Training for officers begins next week, focusing on scenarios like bar break and distinguishing First Amendment activities from disorderly conduct. APD will continue its longstanding practice of minimal enforcement at protests unless there is a specific threat.

Enforcement of Walking-in-Roadway Laws

  • Replying to public testimony, Chief Case confirmed awareness of one citation issued for walking in the roadway when a sidewalk was available. Member Constant asked him to verify if there were multiple citations, as alleged. The chief agreed to follow up.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken; the meeting was informational.
  • Committee members requested the presentation be posted on the committee page or emailed.
  • Chief Case agreed to provide updated numbers on Title 8 citation and arrest statistics, and to verify the number of walking-in-roadway citations issued in Mountain View.
  • The APD diversion program will issue an RFP for a third-party navigator, with funding from a $400,000 grant for 2026. Future funding decisions will be based on the program's performance.
  • The drones-first-responder program is on track for a June 2026 launch.
  • The license plate reader testing phase will begin within 30 days.
  • The meeting adjourned after public testimony.

Meeting Transcript

All right. I'm going to call this uh meeting of the assembly public health and safety committee to order. It is 1102, and we'll start with member introductions. Um on the phone. We have Aaron Baldwin Day. Present, thank you. And we have member Jared Goker. And um I am Yaro Silvers. Uh today on the agenda, we have an update from the Anchorage Police Department. Um, would you like to introduce yourself for the record and start? Uh Sean Case, uh Anchorage Police Department, Chief Police. See if this is gonna work. Uh-oh. It just worked a minute ago. All right, we're gonna have to press the button for me. All right, I'm gonna start with uh some of the technology updates that we have. Sorry, Liza, the there's a lot of button pushing over there. There we go. Okay, uh start off with Body Worn Camera, the fourth version of Body Worn cameras in the next month. Those body worn cameras will be coming online. They're here in town. Uh and a couple of the just for a kind of background knowledge, a couple of the options that are available in the body worn camera for that I think we're all interested in that we will have to come up with a way to pay for is translation services, is at the top of the list. So the body worn camera itself will recognize any time an officer comes in contact with somebody that is not speaking English, and it will immediately translate back and forth between uh whatever language is spoken and the English speaking officer if that's if the officer can't speak whatever language they're um they're uh listening to. That also applies to dispatch as well. So that service would allow dispatch to have immediate translation service in calls for service. I know that I've fielded a couple calls from a couple of the assembly members over the last several months where uh you know we have to transfer to the language line, and that takes some time and time is quite valuable in dispatch. Uh so the additional upgrade on top of the body worn camera four uh would get translation services immediate. Uh the system would recognize just like the body worn camera if somebody calls in is speaking a different language. So uh we are working to try to find some money to add that. I have a question real quick. Can you just um speak for the public? Um you said we're on version four of the body worn worn cameras. The contract uh replaces the body worn cameras, or could you just talk about that a little bit so that people understand? Yeah, so our contract that we had started with uh body worn camera three, so the third model, and the contract that we signed over the course of five years will change, will get upgrade us to the latest version. I believe it's every two years. I think we have one more in this five-year contract, so about midpoint, it'll upgrade to the whatever the next latest, probably the body worn camera five. And so we we assure that we always have the latest technology. Thank you. You bet. Next slide, please. Okay, well taser 10 is what the next thing that's gonna pop up there. And we have uh switch to the new taser model that was part of the the technology contract uh that allows just as to refresh everyone's memory. It almost doubles the standoff distance between the old uh taser, we refer to as an electronic control weapon versus the new one. So that allows officers uh to have substantially more distance than they used to be able to have. Uh approximately 40 to 42 feet. And um certainly distance means time to make better decisions. So that is implemented out in the field. Uh the next thing is less lethal rounds. We have added um a new projectile that we can use at distance. So think of the officer now being able to stand back even substantially further than the 45 foot from the taser 10 and use a projectile again, gaining more cover, more concealment, more distance uh with the individual.

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