2008 Alaska Senate Debate: on Crime

Mark Begich: Added $5M and 13 more police to Anchorage budget

The $435 million budget is almost $5 million less than originally proposed last year, but it’s still an increase to last year’s budget. $5 million in a $435 million dollar budget accounts for about 1%. While it’s a significant amount of money, it’s not a significant variation across the scope of the budget.

As the city grows, some say the police force needs to do the same. Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich said, “The taxpayers in this community are willing to pay for those type of services if they get results, and I think that’s what we’re delivering too.” Begich is delivering a 2009 city budget with 13 more police officers, adding to the city’s long-term goal of 93.

Throughout all the changes & adjustments made to the budget, for the past year Begich has repeatedly called for new public safety proposals