The Alaska Justice Statistical Center recently released statistics on the burglary trend in the state. In July of 2014, the research center at the University of Alaska in Anchorage determined that residential burglaries have dropped over 70% since 1985 and burglaries of businesses have dropped over 80%. In total, all burglaries have dropped 65% in the period between 1985 and 2012. Analysts credit the reduced amount of burglaries with the growing population; but the reduction is in percentage, not only numbers. This can be explained because the rate of burglaries has dropped faster than the population has increased. Experts also credit the reduction in burglaries with better alarm systems, better police presence, and other deterrent efforts.
The report revealed that there was over 1,000 burglaries per 100,000 people in 1985, but in 2012 there were less than 500 per the same amount. The population explanation can also be valid if more honest people moved into the state than burglars.
Identifying the exact reason for the decline was not part of the report, but citizens and law enforcement can draw their own conclusions through discussion. Experts also note that as many as 66% of burglaries go unreported, so the statistics do not depict an actual state of crime in Alaska. Burglaries may go unreported because illegal goods were stolen, there is illegal activity in the house, or maybe the burglar was a relative that is addicted to drugs. The report did reveal that home invasions at night were dropping off and burglaries are much less common during the winter months.