Bronson's bungled homelessness response -- how we got here.

When he ran for Anchorage mayor, David Bronson, along with his pro-Bronson Save Anchorage supporters, made the topic of homelessness a divisive one.

Bronson’s campaign platform included extensively monitoring the city’s homeless population, and even increasing drug arrests around Anchorage to crack down on those who sleep on the streets. He posted photos of homeless encampments while pledging to sweep “vagrants” out of Anchorage’s business districts.

Bronson’s campaign website, which is no longer available, stated that those who “chose” to live a homeless lifestyle would not be allowed to ruin Anchorage’s businesses and neighborhoods. “They will be removed from our parks, public streets, and our business and residential areas,” the now defunct website stated.

During the Alaska Young Republicans Mayoral Debate, Bronson said that “you can’t criminalize homelessness,” citing a ruling from the 9th Circuit Court. The ultimate ruling didn’t come from the 9th circuit court however, it came from the Supreme Court of the United States but didn’t stop Bronson from inventing other means to incarcerate the homeless.

Read more: https://thebluealaskan.com/bronsons-bungled-homeless-response-how-did-we-get-here/