Mayor LaFrance proposes new ordinance to support safety in Anchorage public spaces

Today, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance announced a new ordinance to help ensure Anchorage's public spaces are safe and accessible for all residents. Assembly members Zac Johnson and Kameron Perez-Verdia are cosponsoring the measure alongside Mayor LaFrance.

The proposal, which was introduced during Tuesday's Assembly meeting, will allow law enforcement to address certain behaviors that are always unsafe or inappropriate in public areas.

As proposed, the ordinance would prohibit specific conduct, including sexual activity and indecent exposure, and public intoxication or threatening behavior that prevents others from using a communal space. Currently, the Anchorage Police Department regularly receives calls about these issues, but these behaviors are not clearly prohibited under existing Municipal Code. This proposal fixes those gaps, giving law enforcement the authority to intervene and provide consequences when necessary.

Additionally, enforcement of the ordinance would increase interactions between first responders and individuals experiencing crises in public spaces. This will provide more opportunities to connect individuals with shelter, treatment and recovery services.

"Our parks, trails, and sidewalks belong to everyone. Public spaces should be safe for everyone to use," said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. "These common-sense code changes will give us a way to stop unsafe and inappropriate behavior while continuing to connect people in crisis with the help they need."

If approved by the Anchorage Assembly, the measure will update Title 8 of Municipal Code to prohibit the following behaviors:

• Public Indecency: Exposing genitals or engaging in sexual conduct in public.
• Threatening Behavior: Menacing conduct that interferes with others' use of public spaces.
• Physical Harassment: Spitting or transferring body fluids onto another person without consent.
• Public Intoxication: Being intoxicated on sidewalks, school grounds, or in parks in a manner that interferes with public use or after refusing an offer of safe transport.

The administration will use an enforcement model similar to the enforcement approach for camping in certain high-risk locations. Anchorage Police Department data shows this approach works: between August and December 2025, similar enforcement led to 340 individuals voluntarily following the law and 29 individuals accepting services like shelter and medical treatment.

"This is about providing both accountability and help," Mayor LaFrance continued. "We are enforcing our laws firmly and humanely, ensuring that officers and crisis teams reach people who may benefit from behavioral health treatment and support."

This ordinance supports Mayor LaFrance's broader Public Safety Strategy, which includes:​

• Increasing access to crisis care and expanding the Mobile Crisis and Mobile Intervention Teams.
• Increasing enforcement by staffing up APD, including filling sworn officer vacancies and adding new Community Service Officers.
• Ensuring accountability by vigorously prosecuting crimes with a fully staffed Municipal Prosecutor's Office.
• Increasing access to behavioral health treatment and transitional housing.
• Code changes to support enforcement and accountability.

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Contact: Emily Goodykoontz [email protected] 1 (907) 205-6683 ​

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