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House Rules Committee Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of House Bill 135 on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Alaska House. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

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Alaska House votes to give police warrantless emergency access to cellphone location data

Lawmakers pass other bills, on storage rentals, fireworks rules, telemedicine and federal lands.

An aerial view of Fairbanks, Alaska, is seen in summer in an undated photo. An Alaska State Troopers photo of the yard of a house in more rural area north of the city was the subject of an Alaska Supreme Court ruling. (Photo by Jacob Boomsma via Getty Images Plus)

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Alaska Supreme Court bars police zoom-lens aerial photos of residents’ lawns without warrants

Justices focus on privacy; Department of Public Safety doesn’t see ruling affecting current programs.

Fairbanks-based Alaska State Troopers visiting the Interior village of Allakaket in December 2023 pose for a photo while wearing fur hats. Such hats are provided by the state to help troopers work in cold conditions. The Department of Public Safety is now seeking to replenish its supply of fur hats to be used by troopers. (Photo provided by the Alaska State Troopers)

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Fur hats on shopping list for Alaska Department of Public Safety

The Alaska Department of Public Safety is shopping for some distinctly Northern items of clothing: a collection of…

Lt. Krag Campbell with the Juneau Police Department smiles for a photo outside of City Hall on Sept. 26, when he was interviewed as one of two finalists for police chief. Campbell on Tuesday was named JPD’s new deputy chief as of Jan. 1, serving under new Chief Derek Bos who is scheduled to start Feb. 1. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

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Krag Campbell, runner-up for JPD’s new chief, named deputy chief starting Jan. 1

21-year veteran of department will serve as acting chief until Derek Bos takes over Feb. 1

A retail complex in the 9100 block of Glacier Highway is where investigators with the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD) task force arrested David Melvin Cox Jr., 35, on drug charges Thursday afternoon, according to the Juneau Police Department. JPD said Cox, when approached, re-entered a business, attempting to discard drugs and cash before surrendering. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

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Juneau man suspected of dealing variety of illegal drugs arrested by SEACAD

David Melvin Cox Jr., 35, also faces weapons charges

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Sterling Salisbury (right), president of the Juneau Police Department Employees Association, and Travis Wolf, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 4303 in Juneau, explain the format and rules of a Thursday night debate at the KTOO studios about public safety by 13 candidates seeking four open seats on the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly.

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Assembly candidates debate public safety issues

Wages, affordable housing, other possible remedies for workforce shortages discussed by 13 hopefuls.

Juneau’s Parks and Recreation Department hosts a National Night Out event at Cope Park on Tuesday, one of three local public events connected to the national campaign that seeks to strengthen ties between police and communities. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

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First responders show up with flashing lights for neighborhood non-emergencies

Local police, firefighters, Coast Guard and other agencies participate in National Night Out events.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Juneau Chief of Police Ed Mercer speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon ahead of his retirement slated for Monday, July 31.

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Police chief talks recruitment woes, threat of illegal drugs ahead of retirement

Ed Mercer gives his final talk to the Chamber days before his departure from department.

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer is retiring at the end of July after a career of more than 30 years in Southeast Alaska law enforcement. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

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JPD Chief Ed Mercer retiring

Lifetime Southeast Alaska resident departing July 31 after career of more than 30 years.

The City and Borough of Juneau Harbormaster Enforcement vessel drives past the Dusky Rock which sits at Aurora Harbor. The vessel was towed there from Sandy beach Friday evening after three people died within a three-day period aboard the vessel while anchored offshore. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Three people found dead on boat anchored off Sandy Beach

Drug use a possible factor in deaths of one man and two women during three-day span

JPD Chief Ed Mercer, Officer Kevin Fermin and Deputy Chief David Campbell pose for a group photo on Friday during Fermin’s retirement ceremony at the Juneau Police Department. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

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JPD officer retires from department after 25 years

Over the course of a 25-year career with the Juneau Police Department, Officer Kevin Fermin touched lives inside…

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Buddy, Juneau Police Department’s narcotics dog, plays in a snow pile outside of the Juneau Police Station Tuesday afternoon.

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K-9 keeps nose to grindstone as he nears retirement

Buddy continues to play a critical role in drug control in Juneau

Members of the Juneau Police Department pose for a group photo during the annual JPD awards ceremony on Monday. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

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JPD honors officers in annual award ceremony

The late Chief Pat Wellington presented with legislative memoriam.

JPD offers Internet Safety class on Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as a way of helping parents and caring adults stay informed on how to best keep kids safe online. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

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JPD to host internet safety class for parents

Feb. 7 is Safer Internet Day.

This photo shows the Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. Juneau Police Department Employees Association Board on Thursday made public its concerns with the city's ability to recruit and retain sworn officers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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Police union urges city action amid dwindling number of officers

City leaders acknowledge challenges, seek solutions.

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

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Police investigate death in Lemon Creek area

JPD says death not considered suspicious, and there is no public safety concern.

A Juneau Police Department vehicle parks in front of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalè on Friday, Sept. 9. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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School officials: JDHS secure after weapon report

Student has been located, police are investigating.

Chief Ed Mercer presents Robert Partin an award for bravery during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Man talks receiving Citizen’s Award for Bravery

Snowy streets and foul weather could have been a recipe for disaster.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Chief Ed Mercer presents community service officer Sarah Dolan with the Jackie Renninger Community Policing Award during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.

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Police deliver annual awards for officers, community members

Citizens were recognized for their bravery over the last year.

This April photo shows the Juneau International Airport. On Tuesday two Juneau residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges at the airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

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Two Juneau residents arrested for drugs at airport

It’s the third six-figure bust this week.