Juneau Bear Committee educating community on properly storing garbage Aug. 31-Sept. 4

Members of the Juneau Bear Committee (JBC) will be out canvassing Juneau neighborhoods this week, August 31 to September 4, to provide education to community members on what qualifies as a bear resistant garbage can. The Juneau Bear Committee consists of representatives from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation (ADF&G), the Juneau Police Department (JPD), City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska Waste Connections, in partnership with the Southeast Chapter of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, as well as community volunteers. The goal of the committee is to help minimize conflicts between bears and people in Juneau.

JBC will be adhering educational stickers to the tops of non-bear resistant garbage cans rented by residents, and provided by Alaska Waste, to help educate the public about cans that are not bear resistant and therefore should be stored in a manner that prevents bears from gaining access. For example, in a secure structure like a garage. Alaska Waste has granted JBC permission to do this. JBC will also be hanging informational fliers from the cans as a secondary way to help educate the public about how to store garbage/attractants responsibly.

This year has been shaping up to be a record year when it comes to bear-related calls and complaints made to ADF&G and JPD. This is due to a large number of young (also known as yearling) bears that are gaining access to unsecured attractants in the Juneau area. These bears are at risk of becoming not only food conditioned, but also habituated to the presence of humans. This means they are not afraid of humans, and see human trash as a food source. This may create a dangerous situation for neighborhoods and the community as a whole. The canvassing event is an effort to help educate citizens on the importance of securing attractants, and to remind the community that the garbage cans with a little red latch on top are not bear resistant containers.

August 30th, 2020|

To enhance transparency, JPD releases its Regulations and Operations Manuel

The Juneau Police Department has recently received several inquiries about its policies and procedures. JPD has now posted its Regulations and Operations Manual on the Juneau Police website here.

By posting these policies online, JPD hopes to enhance transparency, promote accountability, and answer questions the community may have. The Regulations and Operations Manual is made up of policies used to assist JPD employees as they accomplish tasks in their day-to-day job duties while serving the community. As the Regulations and Operations Manual is updated, or new policies are developed, they will be posted online.

Some sections of the Regulations and Operations Manual are redacted, which is necessary under the authority of AS 40.25.120 – Public Records Exceptions. AS 40.25.120 governs public records within State of Alaska, including those of the Juneau Police Department. Review the full details of AS 40.25.120 here.

As it relates to the police department, the statue prevents the release of information such as medical health records, information concerning juveniles, police techniques that could be used to circumvent the law, or information that would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial, or reasonably endanger the life or safety of a person. For example, releasing information on how police officers respond to bank alarms or to active shooter situations could aid individuals wanting to commit these crimes and increase risks to the public and police officers. These are merely meant to be examples and are not intended to be the full list of redactions.

July 27th, 2020|

JPD releases video and photos of Dec. 2019 officer involved shooting

The Juneau Police Department is releasing the following videos and photographs from the December 29, 2019, incident with Kelly Stephens. Warning – Video content and language may not be suitable for all viewers:

The first video is from the patrol car driven by Officer Esbenshade, which does not have audio recording feature. This video begins with Officer Esbenshade parked on Yandukin Drive, when he is dispatched to Cinema Drive upon a report of “shots fired.”  Upon arrival to Cinema Drive, the patrol car’s dashcam shows a group of people under ambient light from an apartment building, with one person later identified as Kelly Stephens holding an unidentified slender device. Two other people are backing away from Mr. Stephens. Mr. Stephens walks towards the front of the patrol car after Officer Esbenshade approaches.  Officer Esbenshade then retreats backwards out of view of the camera. Prior to advancing off camera and the video ending, Mr. Stephens begins to swing the rope/chain over his head towards Officer Esbenshade.

The second video is footage taken from Officer Esbenshade’s body worn camera. In this footage, and as described in the State’s Office of Special Prosecutions letter dated March 6, 2020, Officer Esbenshade exits his patrol car upon arrival at the Chinook Apartments and goes to the patrol vehicle trunk to retrieve his patrol rifle. Officer Esbenshade then approaches the group seen on the patrol car’s dashcam. The camera records the following interactions between Mr. Stephens and Officer Esbenshade, including Mr. Stephens’ threats towards Officer Esbenshade. After retreating and requesting back-up through the use of the statement “Step it up,” Officer Esbenshade fires one round at Mr. Stephens. Approximately 43 seconds elapses from the time that Officer Esbenshade exits his patrol car to the time he fires one shot at Mr. Stephens.

Two photographs are being provided of the device used by Mr. Stephens. The rope/chain was approximately 70 inches long.  Attached to the end of the rope is a carabiner. Balled up in the carabiner is a linked chain. The link chain is similar to a timing chain used in an automotive engine.

JPD extends its condolences to the Stephens’ family for Mr. Stephen’s death.

July 2nd, 2020|

JPD to have extra staff working July 4th weekend

With the beautiful weather forecast over the 3rd and 4th of July weekend, the Juneau Police Department anticipates a lot of people will be participating in the holiday festivities. This often comes with an increase volume of police-related calls for service. JPD will have extra staff working the evening of the 3rd through the early morning hours of the 5th.

JPD encourages all citizens and visitors to celebrate safely. If you are driving to and from parties, don’t drink alcoholic beverages, ensure everyone is wearing a safety belt. Drivers are are reminded to minimize distractions and watch for bicyclists and pedestrians in the roadway.

If you choose to discharge concussive fireworks, use them safely and observe these guidelines for when they’re allowed:

  • Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. (on July 4)
  • Saturday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Along with regular patrols, there will be multiple officers focused on foot patrols in the downtown core area and DUI enforcement throughout the borough over the next few days.

Even with an increase in staffing, JPD can’t be everywhere at all times and could use your help. In particular, if you observe someone operating a vehicle who you believe is impaired, please call the Juneau Police Department at 586-0600 to report it. Descriptions of the vehicle, the driver, and the reasons you think they’re impaired are all very helpful.

Calls directly to JPD about DUIs are eligible for rewards through the Juneau Crime Line program. Juneau Crime Line will be doubling their reward from $200 to $400 for tips that lead to DUI arrests over the weekend of July 3rd, 4th and 5th. Crime Line is a non-profit organization composed of a cross-section of the community and is designed to aid police agencies in their investigations. Tipsters are guaranteed anonymity and given a number when claiming a reward of up to $2,000.00.  If you have information on this or any other crime, go to http://juneaucrimeline.com

Also, you can do your part by obeying the law. It might seem simple enough, but when community members choose not to obey the law and do things like use fireworks after hours, block traffic roadways, or engage in drinking in public, police resources have to address these minor offenses. This can take away from more important police activities, such as DUI enforcement.

JPD hopes everyone enjoys the holiday and observes practices to help keep the community safe.

July 2nd, 2020|

Some reminders on living with bears

It’s bear season, which means Juneau residents should be extra careful about how they store their garbage to prevent creating a bear attraction nuisance on their property. Keeping bears away from garbage is an important way to prevent conflicts and confrontations between bears and humans. Here’s a brief summary of the City and Borough of Juneau bear ordinance:

  • Garbage cans may be put out to the curb for collection no sooner than 4 a.m. on pickup day.
  • Other than after 4 a.m. on pickup day, garbage must be kept in a bear resistant container or enclosure:
    • in a strong fully enclosed structure such as a garage
    • in another “bear resistant enclosure,” defined as an enclosure that you can’t get into unless you use hands or tools. If it can be opened by stomping on it, kicking it, running into it with your body, or other similar action, it is not bear resistant.
  • Garbage cans must be fitted with lids so as to remain secure if cans are tipped over.
  • If your business has a dumpster, it must be kept within a garbage containment area or fitted with bear-resistant metal lid.
  • If your garbage has attracted bears and you fail to take steps to legally store your garbage, you could be cited for maintaining a bear attraction nuisance, which is a $50 fine for the first offense. Juneau Police Department Community Service Officers have issued 21 of these citations so far this year.

Juneau is prime black bear habitat and it isn’t uncommon to see bears wandering by. A black bear passing through is generally not a threat and there’s no need to call authorities. If given space, time, and the opportunity to retreat, most bears will wander back into the woods.

For more information and resources, read Living with Bears in Juneau, or contact a Juneau Police Department Community Service Officer at 586-0600 (when prompted, press 5).

June 30th, 2020|
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