(PALMER, Alaska) – Starting January 1, 2014, Mat-Su Valley residents will have a unit of troopers working to combat property crimes, the Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU). One sergeant and three troopers have already been assembled and are diligently collecting information and will be ready for the official start date.

The troopers in the CSU will be uniformed and using marked patrol vehicles to enhance visibility during directed patrols in areas of known criminal activity.

While troopers began discussions to create the CSU after handling what seemed like a large amount of property crimes, it became even clearer the unit was needed after the community noticed and voiced the same concerns. The creation of the CSU was announced during a community meeting in the Menard Sports Complex on Dec. 13, 2013. Members of the community were joined by prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and other concerned groups to discuss property crimes in the Mat-Su Valley.

The new unit was made possible by the increase in overall trooper positions as requested by the Governor and approved by the legislature in the FY 2014 budget. Overall, 17 new trooper positions were approved statewide, five of which are assigned to the Mat-Su Valley.

To learn more about how you can prevent property crimes, sign up for the Alaska State Trooper Citizens Academy in the Mat-Su Valley. The next academy will be held starting January 14, 2014 through April 15, 2014.

Source: DPS