safe neighbors

Seeking Solutions to Chronic Homelessness
On Monday, March 24, at 7:00pm, nearly 300 community and congregation members gathered in Holy Family Cathedral to voice their frustration about the endless cycle of homelessness in Anchorage and to together seek new solutions. During public testimony, almost 30 Holy Family parishioners, social service agency directors, and homeless men and women spoke of the need for something radically different. At the meeting, Mayor Begich made several commitments to those gathered, including committing to secure a full-time person with the authority of the mayor to coordinate all community and municipal efforts and to seek municipal funds to continue the Pathways to Sobriety outreach program.

To read more about it, click on the following links:
Church Group Calls for Solutions to City Homelessness
Channel 2 News March 24, 2008

Cathedral Forum Fights for Homelessness
(PDF Download) Catholic Anchor, April 4, 2008

Bus Stop Upgrade Won—
On March 7, 2007, more than 60 people met in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, concerned about a dangerous bus stop in
their neighborhood. Community members testified about the hazardous conditions and lack of adequate lighting around the bus stop at 88th and Jewel Lake. Jody Karcz, Director of Transportation for the Municipality of Anchorage, committed to upgrading the bus stop during the summer of 2007.

To read more about it, click on the following link:

On a Mission
ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS,
March 7, 2007

Curbside Class on 88th
ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS,
October 29, 2007

Support Gathered for Community-Oriented Policing—
On February 2, 2004, 450 people met in St. Anthony Catholic Church. In an effort to address public safety concerns, those gathered won a commitment from Assemblymen Allan Tesche and Brian Whittle to support the implementation of community-oriented policing in Anchorage neighborhoods.

To read more about it, click on the following links:

Community Effort
(PDF download) ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, February 8, 2004


AFACT P.O. Box 143294 Anchorage, AK 99514-3294 907-297-7731	Seeking Solutions to Chronic Homelessness On Monday, March 24, at 7:00pm, nearly 300 community and congregation members gathered in Holy Family Cathedral to voice their frustration about the endless cycle of homelessness in Anchorage and to together seek new solutions. During public testimony, almost 30 Holy Family parishioners, social service agency directors, and homeless men and women spoke of the need for something radically different. At the meeting, Mayor Begich made several commitments to those gathered, including committing to secure a full-time person with the authority of the mayor to coordinate all community and municipal efforts and to seek municipal funds to continue the Pathways to Sobriety outreach program. To read more about it, click on the following links: Church Group Calls for Solutions to City Homelessness Channel 2 News March 24, 2008 Cathedral Forum Fights for Homelessness (PDF Download) Catholic Anchor, April 4, 2008

		Bus Stop Upgrade Won— On March 7, 2007, more than 60 people met in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, concerned about a dangerous bus stop in their neighborhood. Community members testified about the hazardous conditions and lack of adequate lighting around the bus stop at 88th and Jewel Lake. Jody Karcz, Director of Transportation for the Municipality of Anchorage, committed to upgrading the bus stop during the summer of 2007. To read more about it, click on the following link: On a Mission ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, March 7, 2007 Curbside Class on 88th ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, October 29, 2007
	Keeping Anchorage Youth Safe— On November 27, 2006, more than 400 people gathered in St. Anthony Catholic Church to say “no more” to youth violence in Anchorage. Families of at-risk youth shared their stories while statistics and headlines were displayed to express the community’s concern over the welfare of Anchorage youth. Mayor Mark Begich, Superintendent Carol Comeau and Police Chief Rob Huen committed to adopting the principles of community-oriented policing as well as making available affordable Parks & Recreation programs for youth all over Anchorage. The 2007 Anchorage Police Department Strategic Plan included all seven principles of community oriented policing and in June 2007, Parks & Recreation implemented a summer program at St. Anthony Catholic Church in which more than 50 youth participated. To read more about it, click on the following link: Hundreds Gather in Local Church KSKA-FM, November 29, 2007 Police Need to Police, Not Enforce Immigration Laws ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, September 24, 2007

	Blighted Buildings Brought Down— On November 13, 2006, more than 60 people came together in Bethel Chapel to express their concern over the dangers of the boarded buildings across the street from the church. Neighbors came forward with their stories about living near the neglected and dangerous properties, while leaders presented crime statistics for the buildings. Bob Nibert, the Code Abatement Supervisor for the Municipality of Anchorage, committed to demolish the two units on Price Street by the end of 2006. Sixteen days later the buildings were torn down and Cook Inlet Housing Authority is currently constructing two affordable houses on the property. To read more about it, click on the following link: Price Street Gets Face Lift KTUU — CHANNEL 2 NEWS, November 29, 2006



	Community Calls for Community-Oriented Policing— On March 10, 2005, 400 people assembled in St. Anthony Catholic Church to appeal for a safe community. At the meeting, both Mayor Mark Begich and Police Chief Walt Monegan committed to implement community-oriented policing and promised to include the principles of community oriented policing in the Anchorage Police Department Strategic Plan. To read more about it, click on the following links: Mayor, Chief Pledge New Policing ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, March 13, 2005 Church Group, City Vow Effort to Fight Crime (PDF Download) CATHOLIC ANCHOR, March 25, 2005 Dialogue Key in Effort Against Gangs ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, June 2005 Priest Tells His Worried Parish (PDF Download) CATHOLIC ANCHOR, August, 11, 2006

	Support Gathered for Community-Oriented Policing— On February 2, 2004, 450 people met in St. Anthony Catholic Church. In an effort to address public safety concerns, those gathered won a commitment from Assemblymen Allan Tesche and Brian Whittle to support the implementation of community-oriented policing in Anchorage neighborhoods. To read more about it, click on the following links: Community Effort (PDF download) ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, February 8, 2004