The institution of areawide policing hangs in limbo once again after the assembly Tuesday declined to draft an ordinance that would have interpreted charter to allow police to respond to emergency calls.

At the August 20 assembly meeting, the assembly scheduled a third public hearing for the ballot initiative that would have asked voters whether or not they want to change the charter to allow for areawide policing. The delay effectively disqualified the ordinance for inclusion of the Oct. 1 ballot by missing the deadline for ballot initiatives.

On Tuesday, borough clerk Alekka Fullerton recommended the assembly draft a resolution interpreting Haines Borough Charter’s section on areawide powers to interpret “emergency dispatch” as both fire and emergency police.

“The reason for the inclusion of ‘emergency dispatch’ is to provide for emergencies,” Fullerton wrote in a memo to the assembly. “To construe emergency dispatch as only providing for notification to dispatchers does not make sense—they are notified so that they can send emergency services.”

Assembly member Heather Lende called the idea a “stopgap” while the next assembly works towards a more permanent solution for the 2020 general election.

“I believe this ordinance should be withdrawn,” assembly member Brenda Josephson said. “I really do not feel there is a need for a resolution, but if it makes everyone feel more comfortable drafting one, I’m not opposed to it.”

But assembly members Stephanie Scott and Sean Maidy were uncomfortable with interpreting charter without changing charter, and voted against the resolution.

“I’m concerned about allowing them to go out and provide emergency only services when it’s still not in the charter as being legal for them do so because of jurisdiction,” Maidy said. “It just seems like not the correct fix. I’d rather not base our decision off an interpretation. I’d be more happy with a special election.”

Author