More police officers will be patrolling downtown Anchorage late at night when the bars let out, starting this weekend.
Officers will patrol in cars and on foot downtown overnight on the weekends.
Mayor Dan Sullivan says he directed more police downtown during during bar break to deter crime and to increase safety. The decision came after a string of violent crimes in the downtown area this year followed by meetings about the problem with the Police Chief and groups representing downtown businesses.
The decision means at least eight more officers will be on the night shift downtown. The patrols start Friday, Nov. 15.