APD Body Cameras. The Alaska Black Caucus has been promoting the use of body worn cameras by APD before April, 2020, when voters approved funding for body cams. We have been waiting for a policy to be drafted for implementation of body cams on APD officers. We were originally told to expect body cams in use by the end of 2021.
At a joint meeting of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and the Anchorage Public Safety Commission on February 18, 2022, APD Chief Kerle said that there was no timeline for the use of body cams by APD.
The current draft can be found on the APD website, policy and procedures Pl 3.10.110.
Community Conversation on Police Accountability. On Sunday, March 13, 2022, the Community Conversation will address community efforts toward
Police accountability in Fairbanks and Anchorage. The presentation will be by the Fairbanks NAACP and the Alaska Black Caucus Justice Committee.
COVID-19 tool kits. The Justice Committee is creating a “COVID tool kit” to provide those who are incarcerated upon release back to the community. The tool kit includes video and written information concerning how to stay safe during a pandemic. We expect the tool kits will be ready for distribution by March 15th.
Redistricting. The Alaska Black is joining as Amicus Curiae to a lawsuit challenging a proposed redistricting map that would combine house districts in Government Hill and North Muldoon with Eagle River districts to form 2 senate districts that would dilute the voter impact for those in the north Anchorage districts. The lawsuit was successful in the Alaska Superior Court and oral arguments are scheduled in the Alaska Supreme Court on March 18, 2022.
“Justice for Bishar” Rally. We are planning a peaceful rally for the family of Bishar Hassan, who was shot and killed by APD officers on April 1, 2019. Dash cam footage is shown below.
WARNING: POLICE SHOOTING. These videos may be disturbing to some viewers.
The rally is scheduled for April 1, 2022, three years after the shooting, and near the scene of the shooting at A Street and 16th Avenue. More information on the rally will be posted on the Alaska Black Caucus website.