Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Discussing upcoming legislation with neighbors.

THANK YOU so much to everyone who attended our Fall Neighborhood Constituent & Public Safety Meetings. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend time with each person and to learn more about your neighborhood concerns and the issues that matter to you most. I want to do the best job I can representing your interests and these meetings provided valuable information that will help guide me going forward. And, it was nice to have time to share a meal together.

Legislative Pin collectors at the Mountain View Constituent meeting!!

Gary Jones of the Municipality of Anchorage Traffic Department was on hand to answer questions about upcoming road projects and to take questions and collect information about problem areas in our neighborhoods.

Officer Natasha Welch of the Anchorage Police Department was on hand to provide information about Neighborhood Watch and simple steps that can be taken to reduce crime and theft. She also answered questions and listened to concerns, in particular about theft, alcohol problems, and police staffing. According to Officer Welch, due to attrition and retirements it is expected that the number of officers will be lower than usual in 2014 (here’s an article about the shortage). She strongly suggested Neighborhood Watch as a positive step than can be taken to assist in neighborhood safety.

We developed action items at each of the meetings. These action

items are immediate concerns that I committed to following up on and reporting back to all of you. Other discussion topics included upcoming personal legislation (food security in Alaska, education affordability, small business development, improving public health) and big topics for the 2014 legislative session (education funding and outcomes, public pension changes, natural gas development, Medicaid expansion and funding).

The use of roaming speed sentries was discussed as a way to cut down on speeding on neighborhood streets.

Some of the items require municipal action and I am forwarding those items to the appropriate Assembly member. Those items have an asterisk by them.

Action Items

• Research opportunities for controlling the noise coming from cars (loud thumping, bass)*
• Research opportunities, including the use of a roaming speed sentry, to control speeding on neighborhood streets*
• Begin developing neighborhood watch efforts in two new areas
• Support funding for a police academy in the Spring*
• Work with community councils on alley paving and lighting, and pedestrian safety.

Sincerely,

Representative Geran Tarr

P.S. We also distributed a Constituent Survey to learn more about your priorities. Thanks to all who have completed the survey. If you haven’t, please take a moment and answer it here: survey

P.P.S. November 6th – 9th the Anchorage School District is holding three different Community Budget Conversations to gather information on what Anchorage residents value in public education. Click here for more information and to RSVP to a meeting near you.

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