I’m responding to the Assembly members’ commentary on civilian and auditing oversight of Anchorage Police Department crisis intervention. I agree there is significant value in this, but only if reporting and identifying the incredibly significant, daily, prevention and early intervention that occurs with APD and the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team.
I want to see these fatal responses addressed to conclusion with the methods described, but I don’t want to see this overshadowing the value of all the prevention that occurs with all they provide in our community. I fear the community’s first thought regarding APD will be related to these events the Assembly is addressing here, not the circumstances of all crisis response or their request for APD services. How do we provide at least equal awareness and attention?
— Steve Montooth
Anchorage
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