Anchorage Informed

The Facts About Crime — and What APD Is Doing to Keep Anchorage Safe

APD’s work — from targeted retail theft operations to technology-driven policing and dashboards — is driving measurable progress across the city. This page is a resource to get the facts about crime trends in Anchorage and to follow how APD is taking action to help keep our community safe.

watch: Chief Case on Targeting Retail Crime

  • Retail theft hurts small businesses, increases prices, and fuels repeat offending. In response, APD launched the Retail Theft Detail, a citywide effort to crack down on organized and repeat offenders.

    Since late September 2025, APD has:

    • Charged more than 60 individuals for retail theft and related crimes

    • Recovered over $70,000 in stolen merchandise

    • Partnered closely with retail businesses to identify problem areas and repeat offenders

    • Activated real-time video feeds from downtown safety cameras to assist investigations

    • Used intelligence software to track patterns, link suspects, and disrupt organized retail crime

    This is a sustained effort — not a one-time blitz — with more updates coming during the holiday season and year-end briefings.

    Read the associated press release

  • Town Square Park is one of Anchorage’s busiest public gathering areas. To support safety and deter disorder, APD activated modern public safety cameras that feed into the Real-Time Crime Center.

    These cameras:

    • Help deter theft, vandalism, and public safety concerns

    • Support major events and community gatherings

    • Operate under strict policies with no facial recognition and clear privacy safeguards

    The goal is simple: support investigations, deter crime.

    Read the associated press release

  • APD has released a public dashboard that tracks enforcement of Anchorage’s illegal camping ordinance — giving residents a clear, transparent view of how the city responds to unauthorized camps.

    The dashboard shows:

    • Total camping complaints

    • Locations addressed by APD

    • Contacts, warnings, and enforcement actions

    • Response times and follow-up

    • Week-by-week and month-by-month trends

    This tool ensures the community can see exactly how APD enforces the ordinance while connecting individuals to available shelter and services.

    View the dashboard.

  • Property crime in Anchorage has steadily decreased over the last decade.  Source: FBI UCR Crime Reporting

    __________________

    Violent crime levels today are similar to the 1990s and have remained steady. Source: FBI UCR Crime Reporting