Whistle Stop Mat-Su on Police Powers

In 2005, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough directed a task force to examine the benefits of adopting police powers. Thirteen years later, the Mat-Su is the second most populous community in Alaska with some of the troubles that come with growth, a state recession, and a national opioid addiction crisis. Recent posts on social media and testimony before the Assembly have circled back to the question: is it time for creating a Borough police force?

In this Christmas edition of “Whistle Stop Mat-Su,” host Patty Sullivan prompts the discussion for Borough Mayor Vern Halter, Assembly Member Jim Sykes, of Lazy Mountain, and Borough Attorney Nick Spiropoulos, with special guest Palmer Police Chief Lance Ketterling. How would the Borough adopt police powers? What other programs might be supported in lieu of police powers. These questions are some of what’s in store in this month’s in-house video program.

A 2017 YEAR IN PICTURES IS AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW

Watch the show here:

Read the 2005 report on Police Powers attached here.

For more information email Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.