The Alaska Department of Public Safety released its annual 2025 Crime in Alaska Report, highlighting a mixed picture for the state’s safety. Overall offenses rose 7.2% from 2024, but the long‑term trend remains downward, with a 36.9% drop since 2018.
Anchorage sees sharp increase
Within the Municipality of Anchorage, reported crimes climbed 14.6% compared with last year. Property crime drove most of the surge, up 19.4%, while violent crime edged up only 1.2%. All Part I offenses—robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor‑vehicle theft and arson—registered higher counts than in 2024, except for murder and rape.
State Troopers report fewer offenses
Conversely, the Alaska State Troopers recorded a 5.9% decline in reported offenses statewide. Property crime fell 6.8% and violent crime dropped 5.0% compared with the prior year, reflecting continued progress in rural and non‑urban areas.
Governor and commissioner praise public‑safety investments
Governor Mike Dunleavy praised the results, stating, “Public safety has been job number one for my administration since I took office, and we have made historic investments in law enforcement across the state that has resulted in significant improvements for the safety of Alaskans.” He urged Anchorage policymakers to keep public safety a top priority.
Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell echoed the governor’s sentiment, noting that while the data shows “positive momentum,” complacency must be avoided. He credited the “commonsense approach to public safety” and broad support from the governor, legislature and citizens for the downward trend among State Troopers.
Understanding the numbers
The report cautions readers that the data reflects when incidents were reported, not when they occurred. A burglary discovered months after the fact is counted in the year it is reported, which can skew year‑to‑year comparisons. Rape offenses are counted by victim and by each distinct act, so a single victim may generate multiple counts.
In 2025, 32 law‑enforcement agencies—representing 99.6% of Alaska’s population—submitted Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data to the Department of Public Safety. All agencies except Anchorage used the FBI’s National Incident‑Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which provides more detailed crime information than the older summary format.
What this means for Alaskans
For families and faith‑based communities across the state, the report underscores the importance of continued support for law‑enforcement resources, especially in Anchorage where property crime is rising. The governor’s emphasis on “historic investments” aligns with the broader conservative principle of strong, well‑funded public‑safety institutions that protect families and uphold constitutional order.
Stakeholders are encouraged to monitor future reports, as the Department of Public Safety will continue to publish annual data that helps citizens assess safety trends and hold officials accountable for maintaining safe neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Must Read Alaska (Anchorage) — read the source article.
