As Anchorage prepares for a high-profile meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the Mayor’s Office is making no visible moves to clear downtown streets of the vagrants, public inebriates, and encampments that have plagued the city’s core.
On Wednesday, Municipal Manager Becky Pearson sent a note to all city employees addressing preparations for the visit, but notably she omitted any mention of a cleanup effort to present Anchorage in its best light for the national and international media expected to descend on the city.
“We know that Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER) is the likely location for a Friday visit… We are collaborating closely with JBER, the Governor’s office, the Anchorage School District, UAA and others,” the memo said, before thanking municipal staff for “significant extra time” spent on the effort.
The message reassured employees that most activity would be wrapped up by Friday evening, with no anticipated disruptions to city services, schools, or transportation. It also directed all media inquiries to the Mayor’s Office.
Conspicuously absent from the internal communication was any directive to spruce up downtown streets, where panhandlers, public intoxication, and homeless encampments have become entrenched.
In years past, large-scale events or visits from dignitaries have prompted visible cleanups and enforcement sweeps, but those efforts appear absent this week.
With world media focusing its lenses on Anchorage, some residents question whether the city is missing a chance to improve its image.
Here’s what the Must Read Alaska photo crew saw early Wednesday morning:
This is something that should definitely be taken care of!! The bad thing is there is only a day to get it done!!
Might be a good idea for LaFrance to pull on the big girl panties and actually make an attempt. Anything would be better than nothing.
Here’s what’s currently underway in DC:
‘https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JIT1nek6om8
Good!! Let our President see how Anchorage has become under the leftist leadership!!! I hope he gets to see how bad it has become & personally address the HUGE problem with the failing leadership!!
Saw 2 (probably outside) reporters down on 4th today w/ a big mic.
They seemed to be interviewing locals, but had no camera.
Mayor LaFrance is and embarrassment as a mayor and in way over her head.
Disgusting people allowing bums to ravage the city…. Anchorage is officially now a hovel like Seattle and Portland.. That is no compliment!!!
I applaud Mayor LeFrance for showing her city as it really is for the residents rather than trying to sweep the cigarette butts and roaches under the couch when the Social Worker is coming for a home check.
She doesn’t see a need to clean up Anchorage since the participants won’t even be outside of JBER. They will never see the homeless camps.