Performance Details

Department of Public Safety - Alaska Wildlife Troopers

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Mission

Enforce fish and game laws; preserve public peace; protect life, property, and resources.

Core Services

• Enhance recreational boating safety patrols.
• Enhance proactive wildlife patrols and investigations through increased field presence.

Mission Results	Core Services
A: Protect lives.  Details > TARGET #1: Reduce recreational boating accident deaths to fewer than 14 annual fatalities	A1: Enhance recreational boating safety patrols.  Details > TARGET #1: 10% increase in boating safety contacts over the previous 2-year average TARGET #2: 10% increase in hours spent conducting public education appearances over the previous 2-year average
Mission Results	Core Services
B: Protect wildlife resources.  Details > TARGET #1: Wildlife violations detected less than 5% of total resource user contacts	B1: Enhance proactive wildlife patrols and investigations through increased field presence.  Details > TARGET #1: Five-year average number of resource user contacts

Performance Detail

Target #1: Reduce recreational boating accident deaths to fewer than 14 annual fatalities Methodology: Source: U.S. Coast Guard The target is a 10-year average of recreational boating deaths from 2002-2011. Analysis of results and challenges: Fatalities from recreational boating accidents rose for the third consecutive year. The target of less than 14 recreational boating deaths was exceeded. The number of deaths is similar to the peak in 2012. In 2018 there were 21 recreational boating fatalities. Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) are working to increase boating safety education and checking for compliance with law and regulation, including personal flotation device possession and use -- especially education among adults, as adult deaths continue to make up the majority of fatalities. AWT conducted several targeted boating safety patrols during the past year in conjunction with advertised national campaigns and on historically busy weekends. Troopers investigate recreational boating accidents, injuries, and fatalities in state waters. Related links:    • Alaska DNR Office of Boating Safety    • U.S. Coast Guard statistics    • Alaska Wildlife Troopers

Target #1: 10% increase in boating safety contacts over the previous 2-year average Methodology: Source: DPS Officer Activity Reporting System (OARS) Number of Boating Safety Contacts by Alaska Wildlife Troopers Compared to Previous 2-Year Average Fiscal Year Number of Contacts Prev 2-Yr Avg Percent Inc/Dec FY 2019 4,239 +12.2% 3,549 -15.34% 19% FY 2018 3,778 +13.76% 4,192 -22.93% -10% FY 2017 3,321 -34.39% 5,439 -13.18% -39% FY 2016 5,062 -12.96% 6,265 +4.31% -19% FY 2015 5,816 -13.38% 6,006 +8.31% -3% FY 2014 6,714 +26.73% 5,545 -37% 21% FY 2013 5,298 -8.51% 8,802 -20.45% -40% FY 2012 5,791 -50.98% 11,065 +13.62% -48% FY 2011 11,813 +14.5% 9,739 +12.23% 21% FY 2010 10,317 +12.62% 8,678 -18.05% 19% FY 2009 9,161 +11.79% 10,589 -3.02% -14% FY 2008 8,195 -36.88% 10,919 +51.25% -25% FY 2007 12,983 7,219 80% Analysis of results and challenges: The Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) measure the number of boating contacts reported when Alaska boating safety and compliance inspections are conducted by AWT personnel. This activity is performed during specific patrols for boating safety and while contacting boaters during general patrols for hunting and fishing activity. This one-on-one contact with recreational boaters provides AWT an opportunity to check for compliance and provide education to the general public about boating safety requirements. Contacts increased over the last year. Ideally, boating safety contacts should increase each year over the next three years to a level similar to 2010/2011. Contact is the term that describes AWT interacting with the boating public. Contacts represent the number of boats encountered, as opposed to the number of boaters. Contacts demonstrate the presence of law enforcement on the water, which is a deterrent to behaviors that are unlawful. Contacts give AWT an interface to promote safe and lawful boating activity and positively influence behaviors, promoting the prevention of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the water. During these contacts, the benefits of state boating safety laws are demonstrated to the boating public. Contact is the term that describes AWT interacting with the boating public. Contacts represent the number of boats encountered, as opposed to the number of boaters. Contacts demonstrate the presence of law enforcement on the water, which is a deterrent to behaviors that are unlawful. Contacts give AWT an interface to promote safe and lawful boating activity and positively influence behaviors, promoting the prevention of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the water. During these contacts, the benefits of state boating safety laws are demonstrated to the boating public. Related links:    • Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT)

Target #2: 10% increase in hours spent conducting public education appearances over the previous 2-year average Methodology: Source: DPS Officer Activity Reporting System (OARS) Number of Hours Spent by Alaska Wildlife Troopers on Boating Safety Education Compared to Previous 2-Year Average Fiscal Year Education Hours Spent Prev 2-Yr Avg Percent Inc/Dec FY 2019 116.5 +41.21% 62 +17.54% 46% FY 2018 82.5 +94.12% 52.75 -41.71% 56% FY 2017 42.5 -32.54% 90.5 -27.02% -53% FY 2016 63 -46.61% 124 -12.06% -51% FY 2015 118 -9.92% 141 +23.68% -16% FY 2014 131 -13.25% 114 -8.43% 15% FY 2013 151 +96.1% 124.5 -56.47% 21% FY 2012 77 -55.23% 286 -2.56% -73% FY 2011 172 -57% 293.5 +154.11% -41% FY 2010 400 +113.9% 115.5 +105.33% 246% FY 2009 187 +325% 56.25 +31.58% 232% FY 2008 44 -35.77% 42.75 +189.83% 3% FY 2007 68.5 +302.94% 14.75 -64.24% 364% FY 2006 17 41.25 -59% Analysis of results and challenges: The hours Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) spent on teaching boating safety increased in FY2019, but is still significantly lower FY2013, FY2014, and FY2015. AWT delivers boating safety presentations in schools in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Boating Safety which is the activity reported above. However, AWT also presents boating safety information while presenting to hunter education classes as well as while meeting with hunting, fishing, and other outdoor groups. AWT has been targeting these groups because the overwhelming majority of recreational boating fatalities in Alaska in past years have been adults. AWT also conducts education on the water while contacting boaters during directed boating safety patrols. This measure documents efforts to educate the public in how to boat safely and prevent injury, accident, and loss of life on the water. The increase in time spent on this activity is partially attributed to efforts to provide boating safety instructor training to additional Troopers, increasing the cadre of personnel who are providing this service to Alaskans. Related links:    • Alaska DNR Office of Boating Safety

Target #1: Wildlife violations detected less than 5% of total resource user contacts Percentage of Wildlife Violations Detected per User Contacts by Alaska Wildlife Troopers Fiscal Year # of Contacts # of Violations Detected % Violations/Contacts FY 2019 67,822 +23.6% 4,135 +60.46% 6.09% FY 2018 54,874 -11.09% 2,577 -14.98% 4.69% FY 2017 61,719 -23.91% 3,031 -18.37% 4.91% FY 2016 81,109 +8.12% 3,713 -8.39% 4.57% FY 2015 75,016 -0.95% 4,053 +4.65% 5.40% FY 2014 75,732 +8.58% 3,873 -5.21% 5.11% FY 2013 69,749 -7.77% 4,086 +0.25% 5.86% FY 2012 75,624 -11.93% 4,076 -2.39% 5.39% FY 2011 85,867 +4.29% 4,176 +4.01% 4.86% FY 2010 82,336 +30.55% 4,015 -15.33% 4.88% FY 2009 63,068 +7.65% 4,742 -5.07% 7.52% FY 2008 58,584 +6.69% 4,995 -17.89% 8.53% FY 2007 54,912 6,083 11.08% Analysis of results and challenges: The number of resource users contacted by Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) increased over the FY2018 but is still lower than FY 2014, 2015, and 2016. The decrease in user contacts in FY 2016 and FY 2017 can be attributed to reductions in AWT Trooper numbers from a high of 96 in FY2011 to a low of 87 in FY2018. Wildlife violations detected also decreased slightly as a percentage of total contacts over the previous year. The decrease in resource user contacts is a result of restricted operations of AWT personnel, as well as a shift in operations to times and areas where risk to natural resources is perceived to be the greatest. These numbers do not include citations written by wildlife troopers for non-natural resource law violations, such as those generated for traffic enforcement or other general law enforcement duties. The wildlife troopers averaged seven vacancies throughout the year. In addition to the vacancies, budget reductions forced AWT positions to be eliminated. In the last four years, AWT has eliminated eight Trooper positions, and seven non-commissioned positions which support operations, resulting in less coverage statewide. AWT is attempting to focus efforts where concerns for populations of wild stocks of fish and game are high, but the opportunity to contact the general public engaged in hunting and fishing activity are often reduced. In addition, AWT vacant positions has shifted in the past year from occurring in rural areas to urban areas. Troopers assigned to rural areas typically have fewer contacts than those assigned to urban areas due to the volume of resource users encountered. Targeting 95% compliance is a reasonable goal. Less than 95% compliance indicates a need to reevaluate enforcement presence and education efforts. A loss of commissioned personnel meant fewer hours were available to spend on education. Related links:    • Alaska Wildlife Troopers

Target #1: Five-year average number of resource user contacts Number of Alaska Wildlife Trooper Resource User Contacts Fiscal Year Yearly User Contacts Prev 5-Yr Avg Contacts FY 2019 67,822 +23.6% 69,690 -1.38% FY 2018 54,874 -11.09% 70,665 -3.79% FY 2017 61,719 -23.91% 73,446 -1.28% FY 2016 81,109 +8.12% 74,397 -1.93% FY 2015 75,016 -0.95% 75,862 +0.71% FY 2014 75,732 +26.75% 75,329 +3.05% FY 2013 59,749 -20.99% 73,096 +6.01% FY 2012 75,624 -11.93% 68,953 +9.6% FY 2011 85,867 +4.29% 62,915 +10.21% FY 2010 82,336 +30.55% 57,088 +6.29% FY 2009 63,068 +7.65% 53,710 -5.17% FY 2008 58,584 +6.69% 56,640 +6.4% FY 2007 54,912 53,233 Analysis of results and challenges: The number of resource users contacted by Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) during FY2019 increased slightly. In FY 2019, targeted enforcement campaigns resulted in an increase in user contacts. A change in operation, with a goal of concentrating enforcement effort in areas where violations can potentially cause the most damage to resources sometimes results in Troopers making a fewer number of contacts with the general public who are engaged in resource use activities. Patrols are an indication of AWT presence in the field, and presence of law enforcement is a deterrent to unlawful behavior. The objective of user contacts is to ensure that laws and regulations are being observed by resource users as well as to educate users and reinforce positive behaviors. Related links:    • Alaska Wildlife Troopers

Current as of November 27, 2019