Alaska was named the “Most Dangerous State in America” after the passage of SB 91 (2016 – Omnibus Crime Law & Procedure, Corrections) which weakened our criminal laws and the consequences for breaking drug trafficking laws. Trafficking in illegal drugs increased to the point where the entire state of Alaska was designated as a “High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area” by the Federal government. The Alaska State Troopers testified regarding the trafficking and concluded that the drug problem increased property and violent crimes.
According to the Department of Public Safety Crime in Alaska, 2017 Annual Report, Crime Clock, p.7:
“In Alaska, there is one murder every 6 days, one rape every 8 hours,
one robbery every 9 hours, and one assault and one burglary every 2 hours.”
Governor Dunleavy introduced several bills at the beginning of the 31st Legislative Session to address our criminal laws and protect Alaskans.
I am happy to report the Legislature strengthened our criminal laws and reduced the loopholes Alaskan’s are dealing with today regarding the passage of SB 91 (2016). Specifically, the Legislature’s version of the bill makes these key changes:
- Possessing the most dangerous illegal drugs in Alaska would be a felony, this includes: heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
- Misdemeanor sentences may impose meaningful jail time.
- Requires those convicted of the most serious crimes to serve more jail time on their sentence before being able to seek parole and early release from prison. This was an amendment I added in Senate Finance
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