There were stories about stolen cars, stolen property, assault and death.<\/p>\n
In a town-hall meeting Wednesday evening at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy listened to the complaints and fears of more than a dozen Juneau residents, then explained that issues like these are why public safety is his No. 1 issue in the fall general election.<\/p>\n
”I think the story that’s being told across Alaska right now … is a story of lawlessness,” Dunleavy said. “I think the message should be received by all politicians both locally and statewide that the folks have had it.”<\/p>\n
The event was organized by Tom Boutin, one of the key figures in Dunleavy’s Juneau campaign.<\/p>\n
“We want Juneau people who experience crime to let him know what crime looks like down here in Juneau,” Boutin said.<\/p>\n
According to statistics from the annual Uniform Crime Report, Juneau has more reported crimes than at any point in its history: 2,813<\/a> in the seven categories covered by the UCR last year.<\/p>\n Even adjusted for population, Juneau’s crime rate is high. In 2017, there was one UCR crime for every 11.47 people in Juneau. In 2010<\/a>, it was one crime for 11.66 people. In 2007<\/a>, it was one per 14.68 people. In 1987<\/a>, it was one for every 18.6 people. In 1977<\/a>, it was one per 18.94.<\/p>\n Some of that increase is likely due to better record-keeping and reporting standards, but even in that event, residents say they are seeing crime affect their lives more widely and in deeper ways than before.<\/p>\n “Juneau has changed a lot … even just in the last five years,” Boutin said.<\/p>\n Wade Bryson, candidate for Juneau Assembly District 2, explained his frustration when police were unable to immediately arrest two people who he says stole a safe from one of his Subway restaurant.<\/p>\n Kathy Hosford of Dyea talked about her frustration when two of her vehicles were stolen.<\/p>\n