SAFEGUARD FACTS
How is Alaska
Fish and Wildlife Safeguard organized and what is its purpose?
This program is not a part of State Government. It is an independent
non-profit corporation that was organized in 1984 by citizens concerned for
Alaska’s fish and game resources. They believed a citizen group, working in
connection with Alaska Wildlife Troopers, might help curb unlawful fishing
and hunting in Alaska. Wildlife Safeguard’s purpose is to promote fish and
game protection by providing a toll free hotline for reporting violations,
and funding a reward program for callers. It operates much like Crime
Stoppers in that regard.
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How
is the Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers related to this program?
The Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers is not formally related to this
non-profit corporation; however as the agency charged with investigating
wildlife related crimes, they receive and act on the information provided by
hotline calls.
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Please
describe how calls to the 1-800 hotline are handled.
Essentially, a person calls the 1-800-478-3377 hotline number to report a
violation.
That call is received by an attendant who completes a hotline tip form,
following some guidelines required by WSG (Wildlife Safeguard). First they
are asked if they want to remain anonymous, and they are cautioned if they
don't, their identity can become part of an official investigation and
"discovered" during a later prosecution. Second, they are asked if they want
to be considered for a reward. If they do, and wish to remain anonymous,
they are given a code of colors and numbers and the tip number to refer back
to. After the tip information is given, the tip is faxed to the trooper
having jurisdiction for investigation. The original is forwarded to the WSG
liaison for review to see that it was forwarded to the correct post, and
then it is sent to the WSG Board where they catalog and maintain all
records.
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After an investigation is complete, how is information relayed to the WSG
Board?
After an investigation is complete, the trooper conducting the
investigation routes information describing what happened as a result of
their efforts to the WSG liaison; and they may recommend or not recommend a
reward. The WSG liaison then forwards it to the WSG Board to help them
during their reward deliberations.
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Do the
Alaska Wildlife Troopers have any involvement in the ultimate decision to
pay rewards?
No, that is the function of the Wildlife Safeguard Board. They try to
meet once per month to review cases. The investigating trooper can make
recommendations based on his assessment of the tip and how it helped or
prompted an investigation.
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Are there any
inefficiencies in the program?
For Wildlife Safeguard to remain, as a viable anti-poaching program
requires the public to actively participate. In its current condition a
handful of sportsman are keeping this program alive. They give much of their
free time to conduct board business and to operate information booths at gun
shows and sportsman’s shows. Clearly, they need help and we encourage
concerned citizens to write or call them for more information on the program
and its membership. We encourage people to use the hotline to call in
observed violations. The Alaska Wildlife Troopers we have in this state need
all the eyes and ears they can get. Their effectiveness is absolutely
dependent upon that kind of help.
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How
important is this program?
This very worthwhile program has become less active due to much reduced
funding in the last 3-4 years. Although the organization has continued to
operate its toll free hotline, reduced donations have forced a slow in
organization business, interest has waned considerably and rewards have been
paid out at reduced levels and sometimes, less timely.
There are actually three regional boards, one in Southeast, one in South
Central and one in the Interior. At this point only the south-central board
remains active, although there is a resurgence of interest in Juneau and
Fairbanks. Having one Board act on all issues statewide is less efficient
than if all Boards were active.
Sometimes the troopers we have in this state are not available to
investigate these calls immediately. Many are in remote one-man posts or in
busy recreation hotspots where they are already inundated with other
labor-intensive responsibilities like congested sport fisheries, contentious
commercial fisheries and game patrols that can take them away from phones
for extended periods. But, they do the very best they can to address
complaints as quickly as they can.
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How can citizens help this
program?
This cooperative program is vital in helping State government protect its
fish and game. It is clear that many Alaskans and visitors to Alaska do not
agree with or understand the moral significance of wildlife violations. A
program designed to give some monetary incentives to report violations
results in reports that may not otherwise be received, and that is a very
good thing.
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