Mat-Su borough assembly advises residents to arm themselves for protection

A new Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly resolution urges residents to own weapons and ammunition to compensate for limited local law enforcement in Alaska’s fastest-growing region.

The action, which doesn’t have the power of law, reflects ongoing discussion in the region about the lack of borough policing powers as the state troopers struggle with continued staffing issues that have left the local trooper detachment with roughly 20% of its positions unfilled.

Unlike Anchorage, which has lost residents overall for the past nine years, Mat-Su has steadily grown. The borough population reached over 111,000 residents in 2022, the most recent year for which state data is available. Between 2010 and 2022, the region gained almost 23,000 residents.

The borough does not have police powers — residents do not pay taxes for borough police — leaving it to state troopers to cover the region.

The resolution, sponsored by assembly members Ron Bernier and Dee McKee, was approved unanimously by the assembly at a Jan. 16 meeting.

“Every eligible resident residing in the borough is encouraged to maintain a firearm, and ammunition thereof,” it states. The resolution, which also asks firearm owners to learn about safe weapon use and maintenance, does not define who is an eligible resident. It does not create any laws.

Bernier, whose district covers Susitna Valley communities including Willow and Trapper Creek, said he sponsored the language to encourage residents to protect themselves.

“You should have the right to stand up for yourself and take care of yourself and your family first and your community,” he said during the meeting. “There’s going to be times where things are going to get real. You all should be prepared.”

At issue is a longstanding law enforcement staffing challenge across a borough that’s roughly the size of West Virginia. While the cities of Palmer and Wasilla have their own police forces, the borough does not.

Multiple people spoke against the resolution during public comment at the meeting. Several expressed concern it could lead to lawlessness.

“Seriously, what is the point of this?” said DJ McBride, a Caswell Lakes resident who spoke at the meeting. “This leads down the road to vigilantism and allows people to think that they can take the law into their own hands, rather than call the troopers.”