SJUD - 2/6/95 JOE MURDY, Anchorage Assemblyman, testified in support of SB 14. The Anchorage Assembly has a growing concern about the increasing number of vehicles that are stolen every year in Anchorage. In 1994, 2,534 vehicles were stolen. When apprehended, the offender is given a ticket for joyriding which carries a fine of $100 to $200 for the first offense. Insurance rates are affected by these thefts, and citizens are inconvenienced until their vehicles are found. The Anchorage Assembly passed a resolution in support of SB 14. SENATOR TAYLOR asked if 50 percent of the thefts are committed by juveniles. Mr. Murdy replied affirmatively. SENATOR TAYLOR stated changing the violation to a Class C felony will not affect how juveniles are charged. He suggested restructuring the concept of SB 14 to remove the juvenile status so that the standards that apply to adults involved in moving violations would apply to juveniles. SENATOR TAYLOR discussed the possibility of amending a bill pending in another committee that addresses similar concerns. MR. MURDY informed committee members the Anchorage Assembly is in the process of passing an ordinance that would allow the Municipality to impound an offender's car for 30 days. This ordinance is in response to the problem of looting by juveniles. He offered to send a copy of the resolution passed by the Assembly to the committee. JOHN SALEMI, Director of the Alaska Public Defender Agency, testified on SB 14. He noted the fiscal impact of SB 14 may have escaped the notice of the Department of Law. If SB 14 passes, those cases will be referred to the State District Attorney's office, since the Anchorage Municipal prosecutor does not handle felony cases. The Department of Law currently handles about 99 cases statewide, they may need to rethink the fiscal impact now that several hundred cases may be referred to the Anchorage District Attorney's office. He explained that 1100 auto thefts were reported in 1993, and approximately 200 people were caught and arrested. In 1994, the number of reported incidents was over 2,000. He questioned whether auto theft cases would be given a lower priority since the number of violent crimes taken on by the Department of Law has increased. This may require an additional half-time position to the Felony Intake Unit. CHIEF O'LEARY, Anchorage Municipal Police Department, reported the following statistics. In 1993, 1,387 stolen vehicles were reported; in 1994, 2,534 were reported; and during the month of January, 1995, 260 reports were filed. The vast majority of vehicles are recovered. In 1993, 275 individuals were arrested for vehicle theft. He felt additional arrests would be made if this offense was treated more seriously. There are groups of people who steal vehicles for felonious purposes, therefore the Police Department is in favor of increasing the penalties for that reason. He added the District Attorney's office uses discretion when determining charges against an offender. SENATOR TAYLOR asked what percentage of the offenders are juveniles. Chief O'Leary replied, in 1993, 123 adults and 152 juveniles were arrested for that offense.