AlaskaCitizensForJustice supports balancing the scales of justice. We need all the help we can get and we know it will take the efforts of a lot of Alaskans. Most Alaskans have no idea how broken our justice system is until they are trapped within it. I have first-hand knowledge of our justice system and the criminal courts system gained after my then-18-year-old daughter, Bonnie Craig, was murdered in Anchorage.
We all expect justice and protection from criminals. In order to get that, we need to better support the law enforcement community. Our first challenge is funding the new State Crime Lab. Currently, construction has started on our new crime lab. We need to make sure the funding continues and the lab isn't delayed. The crime lab is the foundation of the justice system. Encourage the Adminstration to keep this project going. We can't afford any delays. It will help save lives.
The construction of the lab is creating jobs and will pour a lot of money into our economy. It will ultimately make our streets safer and prevent a lot of pain. Studies show there is a 40% chance the burglaries and non-violent crimes are being committed by someone who has already committed violent crimes and perhaps even murder. If they haven’t, there is an 80% chance that they eventually will commit a violent crime. That means 40% of these non-violent crime scenes could have evidence that would lead us to a match with evidence from a serious assault, rape or murder. Our laws now allow us to collect DNA from all felony arrests. We need to use this to our advantage and start balancing the scales of justice. Alaska is one of 21 states that collect DNA on all felony arrests. Unlike many other states, Alaska is now processing Offender DNA samples within 30 days.
More funding should be directed towards the Department of Public Safety, and law enforcement manpower. We also need to revisit existing laws. For example, under the Constitution, victims are assured the right to "timely disposition of their cases". Currently, victims are not receiving this right. This needs to change.
Other issues before congress are the lack of funding for the Adam Walsh Act (AWA). Attempts are being made to weaken this bill. Congressional hearings are taking place that would delay implementation and compliance by the states to register the sex offenders in their states. Our voices must be heard. But our priority for Alaska is the crime lab.
We can't afford delays. Delays will cost lives, incredible pain, money and further imbalance our justice system. We have to balance the scales of justice now. The crime lab is the foundation of our legal system. Support our new crime lab.
Thank you,
Karen Foster
