The tiny southwest Alaska town of Dillingham recently received a $202,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to install 80 surveillance cameras to protect its port. But local residents are worried that the cameras will be misused to keep them under surveillance.
This smells like yet another Ted Stevens-style pork barrel handout, but it isn’t, not exactly. It’s a direct result of DHS’s old program for giving away taxpayer money where every state got a chunk of money equal to every other state. The program has since been changed to reduce the amount granted outright to each state, and provide a more risk-based approach to giving out the rest of the money.
But the program brought in massive amounts of money to sparsely populated states such as Alaska and Wyoming, which then promptly went shopping for the latest toys.
Dillingham, with a population of 2,400 and not even a single traffic light, will have twice as many cameras as Anchorage, a much larger city and port.
The police chief, Richard Thompson, says that the cameras are much more likely to be used to police the port during the summer, when it’s filled with commercial fishermen, to break up drunken brawls and spot drug dealers. If the cameras prevent one death, “I don’t care what’s said about me,” Thompson told the Anchorage Daily News.
And to top it all off, the city is putting the cameras on the Internet. Anyone can visit the City’s web page and view the output from the surveillance cameras. As of today only a few cameras are up and running, and they haven’t been properly aligned, but the city plans to have them all running by this summer.
But some townsfolk are outraged. The only thing being captured by the cameras, they said, are their civil liberties. The white, plastic devices, clustered atop poles at the port or perched on four city buildings, feel like the glaring eyes of Big Brother. Some, with dual lenses for different lighting conditions, even resemble storm trooper helmets from Star Wars.
“I think it’s an invasion of privacy,” said Freeman Roberts, a barge captain. “The government shouldn’t be in the business of looking at people.” . . .
Thompson said the public opposition in Dillingham comes from misunderstanding. The cameras, which all won’t be fully operational until this summer, take still pictures every 15 minutes. They have no audio and only would capture movement if something crosses the center of the screen. The images will be used to gather evidence and stored only if there is a crime reported. — Anchorage Daily News
Yeah, right. I don’t believe that for a minute. The nature of government is to expand its power. Once the cameras are installed, what would stop them from from being misused, as police have misused their powers all over the country?
Dillingham’s six-man police force doesn’t have the manpower to watch television all day, he said.
“We haven’t got the time or the energy or desire,” Thompson said. — Ibid.
Not today you don’t, but what about tomorrow, or two years from now? And if they can’t watch the surveillance cameras all day, then they will create only a false sense of security in those who see them, because nobody’s watching. So while they might be useful in catching a criminal, after the fact, they aren’t going to be able to prevent crime, as Thompson seems to hope, precisely because nobody’s watching them.
The quote of the day, though, comes from Mayor Chris Napoli. “We’re only being responsible stewards of public property,” he said. “That’s what a government official has to do.”
I would laugh, but the surveillance state isn’t funny.
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March 19, 2006 9:29 am
October 26, 2006 4:05 am
19 Comments
Fine. As long as we’re putting them on the Web, let’s put one in the Mayor’s office, one in the council’s room, one in the local police squadroom, and one in chief’s office. THAT is an appropriate use of these cameras; to watch our government working… ;)
Just 80 more cameras for the growing collection. By the way, Alaska has some sort of fetish for putting their cameras online. They have cameras for all the DMV offices on the Internet, for instance.
well these terrorists wont win here!
Is this town turning into a reality show or what? should I be auditioning or does everybody get on the show? not even a street light, still have dirt roads the local school is falling apart but yet we have 80 “survelince cameras” worth $202,000 for “Terrorists?” what terrorist? oh, you mean drug dealers? haha!! give me a fricken break, you must be an idiot for even thinking this small ass rural Alaskan town needs 80 cameras, more than what Anchorage has, which is more than what twice the population here.
WE HAVE IDIOTS RUNNING THIS TOWN!!
so the cheif said that the 6-man police force doesn’t have the “man power” (then what kind of force is this?) or the time, energy or desire to whatch television all day, then what the hell is this going to prevent, i mean that was the point of this grant right? prevention of terrorism.
ever since those cameras went up im always smiling cause i dont want the cameras capturing a photo of me not smiling especially since the cameras are going to be on the city’s web site so millions of people all over the world could log on and whach our town, talk about envasion of privacy. I learned in Dillingham High School that America is land of the free. Well not for Dillingham. It isn’t land of the free if you walk through town and cant even pick your nose without a camera catching it and the feeling of some thing watching over you all the time, it seriously gives me the creeps.
Dillingham rarely ever gets recognized for anything, but as soon as we got those camera its been in the newspapers even over sea internationaly. holy shit is all i gotta say.
Then we got a dog catcher who not only catches loose dogs in town but catches loose drunks in town, and where does he bring them to the new dog warehouse and what happens to them does he put them in a kennel to transport them too? He is a DOG catcher not a DRUNK catcher, so they trying to tell us something here.. are our local drunks, dogs? just something to think about.
The cameras were used.
Location: Dillingham
Case number: 06-35610
Type: Controlled Substance Interdiction and Seizure
Text: On 10-16-2006, a combined team of investigators from the Alaska
State Troopers Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement (ABADE),
the Alaska Interdiction Task Force (including DEA agents), an agent from
Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, along with local Dillingham trooper
personnel, Dillingham Department of Public Safety personnel (Dillingham
Police), and an Assistant District Attorney, all supported by elements
of the Air Guard Counter Drug Support team, gathered in Dillingham with
the help of Army Guard Air Transport to execute four search warrants at
locations in Dillingham. The investigation led to the arrest of 10
individuals that were identified and previously indicted by an Anchorage
Grand Jury as involved in drug trafficking in Dillingham. Nine of the
arrested individuals were transported to jail in Anchorage, one remains
in Dillingham. The ten men arrested are:
Thomas Shade, age 49 1 x MICS II, 3 x MICS III
Leo Evans, age 23, 1 x MICS II, 1 x MICS III
Jonny Hansen, age 25, 3 x MICS II
David Olson, age 34, 3 x MICS II
Johnathan Hiratsuka, age 20, 1 x MICS IV, 1 x MICS V
Christopher Nicks, age 45, 1 x MICS III, 3 x MICS V
Charles Backford, age 54, 4 x MICS V, 1 x MICS IV, 1 x MIWeapon II
Dale Blatchford, age 43, 2 x MIC IV, 1 x MICS III
William Bennett, age 40, 3 x MICS III
Gregory Slattengren (age not available), 2 x MIC IV
During the course of this seven month-long operation, investigators
seized a Cessna 170B airplane valued at $80,000.00, a mobile coffee
truck valued at $25,000.00, money in cash and bank accounts totaling
$159,000.00, 47 marijuana plants, 12 grams of cocaine, multiple ounces
of processed marijuana, a large quantity of prescription pills, and
various weapons associated with drug trafficking.
In April 2006, ABADE investigators arrived in Dillingham, and in
cooperation with Dillingham Police, began working to assess the
situation and gather information on drug activity in Dillingham. In
early June 2006, investigators with the Alaska State Trooper Major
Offender Unit along with the Dillingham Police commenced an undercover
drug interdiction effort in Dillingham. The investigation ultimately
led to yesterday’s arrests.
Additional charges are expected in this ongoing investigation.
The Alaska State Troopers would like to acknowledge and thank the
Dillingham Department of Public Safety for their assistance and
cooperation in this investigation.
# # #
Note:
MICS II is a class ‘A’ felony
MICS III is a class ‘B’ felony
MICS IV is a class ‘C’ felony
MICS V is a class ‘A’ misdemeanor
Misconduct Involving a Weapon II is a class ‘B’ felony
Author: gjw
Received and posted Tuesday, October 17, 2006 5:26 PM
AK Bureau of Investigation
NOW WE KNOW WHY NO REPORTS WERE EVER MADE ABOUT THE CAMERAS BEING USED FOR THE “INTENDED PURPOSE”? all summer long.
Have we forgotten Natalia???
With as many cameras, as small a town, and as tight knit as our community is, why is it that all of our law enforcement officers have time to devote to a several day drug raid when we still know nothing of what happend to Natalia Timurphy other than autopsy reports of “foul play”???
WHATS WRONG HERE!!!
Murder does not make money, join the rest of the world!
Those stupid cameras are dumb why did they put them up anyway i think that they should take them down.
All I know is that there are poeple like
Todd Robert Klink
Angela Moseley
all of Anchorage who transport meth in their circle
AK Bureau of Alcohol & Drug Enforcement….
AK Bureau of Investigation…report 43970–9233
Headquarters – Anchorage – Alaska
————————————————-
Location: Anchorage Alaska
Anchorage Police Department Case number: 06-107823
Type: WARRANT ARREST
Text: On 12-12-06, at approximately 1420 hours, the Alaska
Fugitive Task Force arrested Todd R. Klink 36 years old of Anchorage driving a white 4 door sedan near Abbott and Elim Street in Anchorage for an outstanding class B felony warrant for MICS 3 for the transportation and production of methamphetamines, and trafficing of cocaine from Seattle to Anchorage. Klink was transported to Anchorage jail where he was held in lieu of a $2500 bail. Bail has since been posted. Police advise that he is said to be dangerous when under the influence of any narcotic. Anchorage Police officials say Todd Robert Klink is said to be a bisexual and has been known to “sell” inside gay and lesbian nightclubs. According to previous records, he has been considered dangerous by his former co-workers and family members. It is advised to contact law enforcement to report suspicious activities involving Todd Klink.
Please contact the Anchorage police department if you have questions or concerns regarding this APD case# 06-107823 above at 907-786-8900
Author: David Shely – Alaska Department of Public Safety
Received and posted Tuesday, December 12, 2006 4:35 PM
End of Dispatch
I know Angela Nicole Mosley from Anchorage Alaska when we used to work together. I can say that she used to give my friends blow jobs at the back of CARRS grocery center on northern lights for crack, meth, and other drugs. I fucked her a couple times and smelled her fishy cum drenched hole. She would never take a shower or clean her kitten after being nutted in. How gross is that…..
AK Bureau of Investigation… report R03-94682-020
Headquarters – Anchorage – Alaska
————————————————-
Location: Anchorage
Case number: 06-71340
Type: WARRANT ARREST
Text: On 8-9-06, at approximately 1330 hours, the Alaska Fugitive Task Force and APD arrested GILBERT DEAN LEONOR(34) of Anchorage Alaska for two outstanding Class B felony warrants for MICS 3 and MICS 2 – trafficing, production, illegal distribution of methamphetamines, and Tampering with Evidence. LEONOR had been reported to be hiding in a residence back room in a southeast Anchorage home. Anchorage Police Department then responded and LEONOR jumped out the back window of the south anchorage home. LEONOR was apprehended by the AFTF a short time later. LEONOR was then taken to Anchorage jail where he was held in lieu of $10,000 bail. According to further documentation, Leonor had posted bail. FBI officials warn then when on the loose, he is considered armed most of times and dangerous under a narcotic.
Please contact the Anchorage police department if you have questions or concerns regarding this APD case# 06-71340
above at 907-786-8900
Author: David Shely – Alaska Department of Public Safety
Received and posted Tuesday, August 10, 2006 8:35 AM
End of Dispatch
End of Dispatch
Anchorage, Alaska – He was shot last night and the killer remains at-large today. This afternoon, a man claiming to be the suspect in the shooting, Todd Tix, called Channel 2 News, saying he may have shot 52-year-old Terry Tumbelson, but he didn’t mean to kill him and didn’t know he was dead.
The shooting occurred around 8:30 p.m. yesterday on the corner of 12th Avenue and Friendly Lane. According to Anchorage police, Tumbleson and 42-year-old Todd Tix got into a fight inside this home.
The fight led to a shooting, and police say Tumbelson died from a gunshot wound to the torso before they got him to the hospital.
Anchorage police say they are unsure what provoked the shooting, but suspect it was drug or alcohol-related.
“At this point, it’s unclear. There are some indications that there maybe some drugs or alcohol involved in the disturbance. But specifically, no, and we have not contacted Mr. Tix to get his version of what happened,” said APD Lt. Paul Honeman.
Police say Tix is about 5-foot-10, 210 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. His license plate is 6691DS.
This afternoon a man claiming to be Todd Tix phoned the Channel 2 News room and spoke with Assignment Manager Ed Bennett.
Bennett said a man identifying himself only as Todd called to talk about how he had tried to get both the police and the Drug Enforcement Agency interested in drug activities by Tumbleson.
“Once I realized I was talking to the man wanted by police in the shooting, I asked him if he had shot Tumbleson. He said, ‘I took a gun over there but I didn’t mean to shoot him.’
I asked him again if he shot him and he said, ‘Yes.’ I told him he really ought to turn himself into the police. We’re putting your picture on TV in less than one hour. And then he hung up,” said Bennett.
Bennett added that there was evidence this was the same Todd Tix police were looking for. Tix had called Channel 2 News earlier in the day, before it was known that he was wanted by police.
According to Bennett, when the man believed to be Tix learned Tumbleson had died, he acted very surprised.
Interestingly, Tix sent a fax to Channel 2 News producers on Feb. 2, trying to get reporters interested in what he called “Tumbleson’s drug activities.”
Anchorage police consider Tix armed and dangerous and ask anyone who may know his whereabouts to call police, and under no circumstances confront him.
Tix has been known to be very violent under the influence of methamphetamines and police advise to call in a report if Tixx is spotted in town at 907-786-8900
David Shely – Alaska Department of Public Safety
This is a man I thought to be my father, a loving kind man and I just can’t figure out why he would do something this rash.
Todd R. Klink of Anchorage Alaska = METH HEAD/TWEAKER/ Seller/ Cook
DAVID SHELY of Anchorage Alaska = METH HEAD USER/ Seller/ Cook
ANGELA MOSLEY of Anchorage Alaska = METH HEAD USER/ Seller/ Cook
ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS LISTED ABOVE ARE LOOSERS
On April 4 2007 at approximately 1320 hours. David Shely was brought into custody and is charged as follows.
Charge Dscr
AS11.46.505: Forgery 2 Degree of Offense Class C Felony
AS11.46.130(a)(7): Theft 2 Degree of Offense Class C Felony
AS11.46.140: Theft 3 Degree of Offense Class A Misdemeanor
AS11.52.239: MICS – 2 trafficing, production, illegal distribution of a controlled substance, and Tampering with Evidence.
APD Report# 3AN-07-1556 reports that during the initial arrest. David seemed to be under the influence of methamephatimes. A drug test confirmation at Cook Inlet detention center indicated that David Joseph Shely of Peters Creek was under the influence.
He was searched and a small bag was discovered hidden inside his rectal area. The baggy consisted of 3grams of methamphetamines.
Bail was set at 5000.00 Cash and Third Party Custodian.
Bail has since been posted.
Anchorage Police advise that while unsupervised, David has been known to provide meth to 16 and 17 year old girls. He has been reported as a child molester in the past and has been known to sell meth inside Gay and Lesbian bars. He has also been known to steal check books and other information from family members.
If you have any information that may help solve the above case.
Please contact Anchorage Police Department at 907-786-8900
Jeff Bailey – Alaska Department of Public Safety
who was busted in last months drug bust in anchorage the pot was for dillingham..
On December 19 2007 at approximately 1900 hours, officers working in coordination with the alaska drug task force arrested Angela Mosley with connections to a manufacturing/production and possesion of methamphetamines. The charging documents read:
Charge Dscr AS11.71.030(a)(1): MICS 3-Deliver/Poss w/Intent IIA, IIIA Degree of Offense Class B Felony
Charge Dscr AS11.71.040(a)(3)(A): MICS 4-Possess Any Amount IA, IIA Degree of Offense Class C Felony
Charge Dscr AS11.71.040(a)(3)(A): MICS 4-Possess Any Amount IA, IIA Degree of Offense Class C Felony
Charge Dscr AS11.56.800(a)(1)(B): False Info/Report-At Arrest/Cit/Incarc Degree of Offense Class A Misdemeanor
Angela Mosley was booked into the cook inlet pretrial facility where she will remain until her next court appearance. Bail hearing still awaiting.
Angela is known to hang out in the spenard area in bars and around clubs. She has been known to provide prositution services around these areas.
Officers advise to report any suspicious activities regarding Angela Nicole Mosley DOB 12-20-80 to the Anchorage Police department at 907-786-8500.
Jeff Bailey – Alaska Department of Public Safety
Is that Angela Nicole Mosley at 907-764-2302. If so, I used to date that girl. I feel sorry for her even though she is a whore.
I think all the cops in Dillingham are peverted. I have a feeling that cooper knows that Dean Clark always tries to touch younger girls. He was touching a young lady that used to be a rugular there, at his shop, Deans Video. She had asked him nicely to please stop touching her, it made her feel violated. His response was, if you don’t like it, then don’t come here any more. When he was done cooking food for young ladies, he would get their attention by touching their butt with his foot. He would also claim to be tickling young ladies, when he was just trying to touch their boobs. I have seen this with my eyes, and I’m sure others have too.
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