Dr. Chamard awarded minigrant for public safety project in downtown Anchorage

Anchorage street scene at night.

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice faculty, has recently been awarded a UAA Center for Community Engagement and Learning minigrant. This Spring 2014 community-engaged project, "Late Night Public Safety in Downtown Anchorage," involves research to be completed by students in Dr. Chamard's JUST 490 Business and Crime class.

The issue to be researched is the violence that has been associated with "bar break" - the time when the majority of bars close and patrons leave the establishments in large numbers.  The project includes a review of academic literature on this issue, a review of policies and practices from other jurisdictions, a survey of people who live or own property in or close to the downtown late night entertainment area, a survey of bar owners/managers, and a CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) analysis of downtown bars.

The Anchorage Downtown Partnership Ltd. is a partner in this research effort. Results of the project will be presented to stakeholders in early May.

All minigrant recipients will present their research results at the annual Community Engagement Forum in April.