Thread by @propublica

1/ This is Annie Reed.

She doesn’t wear a uniform, but everybody in her north Alaskan town recognizes her.

In an emergency, nobody calls 911. They contact Reed directly.

She is often the only cop in Kiana. Registered sex offenders outnumber her 7-to-1. propub.li/2LXemme

2/ In spring, 2018, Reed’s radio crackled to life.

A local sex offender, Edmond Morris, pried open a window, tore the clothes from a village elder’s daughter, gripped her throat, and raped her, according to charges against him in state court, which he denies.

3/ In remote western Alaska, sex crime rates are double the statewide average. That statewide average is nearly triple the U.S. average.

Why?

A two-tiered justice system leaves mostly native and remote Alaskan villages unprotected. propub.li/2LXemme

4/ For this investigation, we partnered with @adndotcom and @kylehopkinsAK via our #LocalReportingNetwork.

Want updates on what we find? Sign up for our Big Story newsletter 👉🏽propub.li/2W4UBNo

Here is what we have so far...

5/ When village cops investigate sex crimes, they are more likely to be prosecuted.

We asked more than 500 traditional councils, tribal corps & city gov’ts if they have any peace officers at all.

The most comprehensive investigation of its kind in AK... propub.li/2W28agv

6/ At least 100 Alaskan communities had no local police protection at some point in 2019 — including 70 big enough to have schools and post offices. propub.li/2LXemme

7/ Tribal and city leaders in Alaska lack jail space and police stations. Five reported housing shortages that prevent them from hiring. Burnout and low wages mean constant law enforcement turnover. propub.li/2LXemme

8/ Of Alaskan communities that do have police, more than 20 hired officers with criminal records. We also found two registered sex offenders working as Alaska policeman this year. propub.li/2LXemme

9/ Communities in Alaska without police that can’t be reached by road have nearly *four times* as many sex offenders per capita than the national average. propub.li/2LXemme

10/ Village leaders say the problems will get worse.

Rather than raise pay or boost recruitment, @MikeDunleavyGov this year proposed a state budget that would cut $3 million in funding for vacant village-based police officer jobs. propub.li/2LXemme

11/ OK, so those are the numbers.

Let’s get back to the actual people...

12/ With nowhere to go and the midnight sun setting, Reed took the elder’s daughter to sleep in her own home.

The offender, who spent 15 yrs in & out of jail for sex crimes, returned in the next 3 weeks, charges say, before his arrest. He now waits trial. propub.li/2LXemme

13/ Her neck and wrists bruised, the woman carried the gym shorts and tank top she wore during the attack as evidence in a plastic bag. She flew 550 miles to Anchorage for a sexual assault examination.

It’s one reason survivors may not report, even if there is a cop to tell.

14/ But the way Alaskans talk about sexual violence is changing.

@adndotcom asked survivors to help learn more about the breakdowns in the criminal justice system. More than 200 people confidentially shared their experiences. propub.li/2W9PiMt

15/ Respondents said they wanted to inspire others and create permanent change.

We take this seriously. We are listening. propub.li/2LNJQLo

16/ Reed makes $20 an hour, with no benefits. She often has no backup.

After fielding hundreds of calls in a recent month, she has started looking for a job with days off. Or at least benefits.

“I’m tired,” she said. A long sigh.

“I’m overwhelmed.”

propub.li/2LXemme

17/ Recently, she got a piece of good news.

A village officer from Ambler, 70 miles upriver from her, was reassigned to her town.

Backup at last.

18/ That’s left Ambler, population 287, the 70th village in Alaska to have no police of any kind at some point this year.

19/ Our investigation took a look at towns with some of the highest rates of rape and child sexual abuse in the U.S.

Our investigation took us to some of the most remote parts of Alaska.

Our investigation won’t stop here. propub.li/2LXemme