More enforcement presence via Village Public Safety Officers
Working together, we made Alaska's families safer. Because of the work we've done together, there are 15 more Village Public Safety Officers in communities that had no law enforcement presence. In fact, we went from having 47 filled VPSO positions in
2008 to 86 filled positions now. That means thousands more Alaskans can call for help when they're in danger, and get a timely response. Because of the work we've done together, more Alaskans have access to counseling and suicide prevention services,
and more domestic violence survivors were sheltered and, at last, able to escape their abusers. And, because of the work we've done together, we launched the "Alaskans Choose Respect" initiative. Eighteen communities held "Choose Respect" rallies and
marches to courageously confront the evil of domestic violence and sexual assault. We gave more Alaskans permission to speak up and take action against this epidemic.
In 2009, the Department of Public Safety filled more than 24 trooper vacancies and 18 Village Public Safety Officer vacancies.
And we are beefing up public safety. We are funding new troopers, new sexual assault investigators, as well as 15 new Village
Public Safety Officers.
We are increasing funding for shelters that provide a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. And, we have asked legislators for $75 million for a much-needed new crime lab.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
, Jan 20, 2010
