As people filed into the Nikiski Recreation Center for a community meeting organized to address thefts in the area, it soon became apparent that the library would not hold the crowd.
Jim and Nedra Evenson came because they have been burglarized.
Nedra: “Right out of our yard and out of our barn. Our son’s cabin, that’s not very far from our home, has been totally vandalized and destroyed and everything stolen out of it, so we would like to see better coverage in Nikiski.”
Jim: “Plus we know that we’re not the only ones.”
Organizer Ann Krogseng said she had only expected about 20-30 people and soon the packed library was moved to the gymnasium where the bleachers soon overflowed.
Krogseng delivered her agenda with the help of Greg Russell from Crimestoppers, calling upon the members of the community to come together and act in each others’ best interests.
Alaska State Trooper’s Captain Andy Greenstreet outlined a plan for a criminal suppression detail in the area consisting of two senior officers and one part time office admin who would be dedicated to look at the data and find patterns. That detail would run for as long as local Trooper resources would allow but would also work with Bureau of Highway Patrol officers and Kenai and Soldotna Police Departments.
Capt. Greenstreet said he felt like him and his fellow officers were received well by the crowd but can understand their frustration.
Greenstreet: “The most important thing that we accomplished here tonight was getting a group of people together for a common reason for a common goal, and that’s to be a voice, to find a direction and then take that direction and kind of take charge of their community because at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.”
Although some frustration came out in raised voices during portions of the meeting, many people like Nancy Whiting seemed to appreciate the overall information provided in the meeting.
Whiting: “Because I think law enforcement is doing what they can with what they have and if they get more information they can be more effective, so that’s where we come in. And I think a lot of the problem is in the courts, once the people get arrested then they just get right back out. I thought it was a good meeting and I was really surprised at the attendance.”
Members of the crowd called on legislators present to request guidance as to what solutions could be proposed apart from further trooper positions.
Speaker of the House Mike Chenault…
Chenault: “The community is frustrated at the thefts that are happening out here and they are looking at ways to fix that and ways to protect their homes and their businesses. I think what they come out of it with is a a better understanding of what the troopers can and cannot do and that in order to fix the problem, a big piece of that is going to be the community pulling together, neighbor helping neighbor watch, and report things to troopers.”
Community members who have information about crimes or see suspicious activities were urged to anonymously report those details to Crimestoppers at 283-TIPS.
