Anchorage mayor candidate Q&As: Do you support the bond issue on this spring’s municipal ballot that would fund body-worn and in-vehicle cameras for police officers?

In advance of the April 6 Anchorage municipal election, the Anchorage Daily News asked candidates running for Anchorage mayor a series of issue questions. These include questions suggested by readers. Read all the mayor and school board candidates’ responses here.

Q: Do you support the bond issue on this spring’s municipal ballot that would fund public-safety technology upgrades, including body-worn and in-vehicle cameras for police officers? Explain.

Anna Anthony

I think that body cams and dash cams are helpful. Video helps provide clarity in difficult situations when police interact with the public. When the government maintains a monopoly on violence, it is so very important that the public can feel there is accountability.

Dave Bronson

Yes, I absolutely support the bond issue that would fund public safety technology upgrades. Though as we move forward, we must consider the costs associated with these upgrades regarding the storage of the data collected via these cameras.

Jeffrey Brown

Yes. Transparency and responsibility are of upmost importance for officer safety and for demonstrating a commitment to fairness and professionalism for our peace officers.

Forrest Dunbar

Yes, I support Ballot Measure 4, the special tax levy for APD technology upgrades. These upgrades are necessary for effective data collection, storage and report processing, and I was a cosponsor of the version of the ordinance that put this levy on the ballot. The Assembly put a similar measure on the ballot last year for the leasing of medical technology to the Anchorage Fire Department, which has worked well. With regards to the body-worn camera portion of the proposition, both APD and the community have expressed strong support for body cameras; this proposition is a sustainable way to fund them. I have spoken with community members and police officers extensively on this issue and will advocate for strong policies to ensure this technology is used in an effective, equitable manner.

Bill Evans

Yes. I think body cams are an important modern technology that help provide trust in the community and accountability for police actions. Anchorage has a very professional police force and the introduction of body cams will, I believe, be a good thing for both the department and the community. However, if the bond fails, Anchorage needs a Plan B for paying for the costs of body cams.

Bill Falsey

Yes — I drafted the proposition. In-car and body-worn cameras increase trust, accountability and officer safety, and the department has a critical need to update its dispatch and records management systems. APD’s in-car cameras were funded by one-time state grants received nearly a decade ago; they are nearing the end of their useful life. The dispatch system, which 911 operators use to assign officers to incidents, is at risk of critical failure and must be replaced; a new records-management system will help prosecutors efficiently process cases and improve the department’s public reporting of crime data. The proposition going to voters is nearly identical in form to Prop. 9, which voters approved to refresh the fire department’s medical equipment in 2020. I strongly support the measure.

Heather Herndon

I support firearm sight lasers and allowing the police to do their job without having a political viewpoint overview. I support the police protecting innocent people, including bystanders, before protecting the life of the person committing a crime. If our police are so corrupt that we can’t trust them then it is time to rebuild with new candidates.

George Martinez

I support body cams for police officers. However, I do not support this bond item. I believe the body cams should be implemented as part of the regular APD budget process and not paid for by a special bond, which the administration and Assembly currently have on the ballot. This bond proposal unnecessarily politicizes the police.

Mike Robbins

Yes I support the bond issue.

Albert Swank Jr.

No.

• • •

Read more questions:

Why are you running for mayor?

What in your background or experience sets you apart from the other candidates and makes you suited to be an effective mayor of Anchorage?

What’s the biggest challenge facing city government and how would you address it?

Describe how your administration would approach the coronavirus pandemic

What’s your assessment of how Anchorage’s city government has responded to the pandemic over the past year? What, if anything, would you have done differently?

What role should city government play in repairing economic damage to individuals, businesses and community organizations from the pandemic?