Remote Alaskan villages grapple with high crime rates and lack of law enforcement leaving residents vulnerable and in urgent need of assistance to address the ongoing struggle for justice and security.
Crime and Violence Thrive in Lawless Alaskan Villages
In the distant parts of Alaska, where the rough terrain stretches far and access is mainly by air, the main danger isn’t always the harsh elements of nature. Instead, it’s the lack of law enforcement leaving isolated communities at risk of crime and violence. According to a report by Business Insider at least 75 Native American Alaskan villages lack any law enforcement presence. Isolated by long distances and challenging terrain residents must rely on distant Alaska State Troopers who may take hours, or even days, to respond to emergencies.
Alaska’s High Crime and Violence Rates: FBI Report Reveals Alarming Statistics
Alaska faces one of the highest violent crime rates in the United States with the FBI’s 2012 crime report showing a significant 603.2 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Incidents of rape soar to nearly 80 per 100,000 residents surpassing the national average by a significant margin.
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(photo: KTOO)
Lack of Assistance Leaves Alaskan Victims of Crime and Violence Stranded
Associate Attorney General Tony West highlighted the grim reality of life in these remote Alaskan villages in a statement to The Washington Post. He emphasized the dire consequences of the lack of immediate assistance in the face of violence. “Unfortunately, there are places in rural Alaska where if a woman is raped or a child is beaten that victim might not receive any help,” West said. He pointed out the significant delays in emergency response times, where it can take a day and a half for responders to reach the scene of a crime or respond to a distress call. For victims stranded in these isolated communities and the absence of timely assistance means they are left with nowhere to turn.
Urgent Action Needed for Justice and Security Amidst Crime and Violence
Remote Alaskan communities face dire challenges with essential services and safety highlighting a broader issue of justice and security even in isolated areas of the United States. Urgent action is imperative.
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