The Haines State Trooper car parked outside of the courthouse. (Emily Files)
How should Haines deal with the recent loss of a state trooper? The community will have a few chances to weigh in on that question this month.
In March, the head of Alaska State Troopers made the decision to relocate the area’s only ‘blue shirt’ trooper.
That officer patrolled and responded to calls outside of the townsite, including neighborhoods out Lutak Road, Mud Bay Road, and the Haines Highway.
It’s up to the borough to decide how to deal with the vacancy. There is still a wildlife, or ‘brown shirt’ trooper in Haines. But his main responsibility is to deal with hunting and fishing violations.
Since trooper Andrew Neason left in December, the borough police department has been assisting in responding to emergency calls outside of the townsite.
Now, residents will have a chance to weigh in. A town hall meeting on the subject is scheduled for Wednesday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mosquito Lake School Community Center. A second gathering is planned for April 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the public library.
