AlaskaCitizensForJustice

HOW YOU CAN HELP

“The bottom line is that average citizens are not concerned about forensic science until they, or someone they love, become the victim of a crime. As a result, crime laboratories do not receive the public attention and support that they deserve. This negligence results in low staffing, low salaries, outdated equipment, and eventually, high backlogs.” (Crime Lab Report, 2008)

NOTE: The Alaska State Crime Lab is not supported by property taxes. This is a State project, funded through the State of Alaska, providing statewide services to law enforcement agencies throughout Alaska (including for the Department of Fish and Game) and as such, does not affect your taxes.

Effective crime fighting requires up-to-date technology. Most citizens have probably seen an episode of CSI, Law and Order, or 48 Hours. We know that timing is critical in solving crimes, not just in collecting and processing crime scene evidence, but in providing timely justice for the accused, the victim and their families. Having the capabilities to process ALL crime scene evidence from a full-service lab centrally located in Anchorage is essential. Sending lab specimens out to private labs in the lower 48 won't provide the timely results imperative to effective crime investigations.

"Having a state-of-the art crime lab provides us with a great opportunity to enhance our public safety mission. Increasingly, effective crime fighting depends on law enforcement's ability to identify suspects and reconstruct an event quickly and accurately in order to facilitate the arrest and prosecution. Having this facility is going to increase our ability to save lives and protect the people we are sworn to serve," says Mesa Police Chief, George Gascon, speaking about the Mesa, Arizona Crime Lab shortly after it opened in 2007.

The size (and resulting cost) of the new Alaska State Crime Lab is based upon detailed studies and factual analysis of the projected caseload, staffing and space required for a full-service lab that will meet Alaska's current and growing population.

Delays on a project of this size cost money, not just in deferred costs (a dollar spent now is less than a dollar, adjusted for inflation, spent later), but in these areas as well:

·        Unresolved crimes and threats to public safety have a ripple effect, from increased insurance claims to the livability of Alaska.

·        Loss of economic opportunity: The impact of the construction project on Alaska's economy, from those directly working on the project, to the construction dollars they funnel back into the Alaskan economy.

WAYS THAT YOU CAN HELP

·        Make phone calls

·        Send e-mails

·        Write letters

·         Share this with your family, friends and neighbors

·        Visit this site for updates

·        Watch your local newspapers for Crime Lab news

      If you have friends or family in any of the states that currently don't require DNA on felony arrest encourage them to write their lawmakers and push for these laws.  Criminals cross state lines.  Bonnie's murderer was incarcerated in New Hampshire a state with one of the worst set of laws on DNA.  Their legislature is currently attempting once again to pass legislation allowing DNA for all convicted felons.   Attempts are also being made to require it on all felony arrests. 

Please contact your legislators and tell them that you want Alaskans to have this state-of-the-art crime lab now. Ask them to support and approve funding to cover the balance of this project - $94 million still needs funding.

Write your own words, or use our suggestions below and in the attached template, to send letters to your legislators. Feel free to cut and paste our wording into your own letters.

Sample letters directed to your Alaska State Legislators
Option 1):
I am very concerned about the overwhelmed and overcrowding situation of our current crime lab in Alaska.  This is causing delays in identifying persons responsible for crimes and delays in trials.  It allows criminals to continue roaming our streets committing more crimes.  We desperately need the new crime lab.  Anchorage has donated the site and the construction is started.  Please do everything you can to approve the funding the Governor included in his budget.  We can't afford to not get this project funded it will cost Alaska more money if delayed and will cause pain for so many victims.  It will cause loss and pain for so many new victims of crimes that could have been prevented.  Please support our justice system and law enforcement and help balance the scales of justice.

Option 2):
I strongly urge you to approve the funding necessary for our new crime lab that the Governor included in his budget.  It is imperative that we support our justice system and law enforcement to get the criminals off our streets and into jail. The delays in our justice system deny justice.

Option 3):
Please support our law enforcement and the Department of Public Safety. Approve the funding the Governor put in the budget for the new crime lab. It will help balance the scales of justice and create jobs in our community. We need new construction and this project will benefit everyone statewide.

Option 4):
I am a victim of our justice system. I know the pain of waiting for evidence to be processed.  I know the pain of the delays in our criminal justice system.  Please understand that the new crime lab is the foundation of our justice system. Without it justice will be delayed; justice will be denied.Approve the funding the Governor put in the state budget.

You can see who your State Legislators are by going to: http://www.ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/distcom.php

Sample letter directed to our US Senators

No letters required at this time.

Send letters to US Senators and our lone Congressional Representative to: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=AK and http://donyoung.house.gov/

Next, either…
A)    Download, print, and sign this letter, and mail it to all of your legislators, or…
B)     Save this letter to your computer, enter your signature information at the bottom of the page; re-save it, and e-mail or snail-mail it to your legislators.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!