BethelAK.com
BethelAK.com – The Center of the YK Delta

Im 32 years old. When i was in high school, it was very rare to find underage drinking citations. Sure it happened, but back then, you were smarter…You didnt go to AC or Swansons..or any where public…you went to a friends house and had a few beers, went home, and if you parents caught you, that was the end of the line. You got your rear kicked and never tired that again. But if in the unlucky case you ever did get caught by the law, everyone including the entire school body, your friends, family friends, anyone who knew your name, came down on you HARD. So hard in fact, you never wanted to drink again. Thats why in my teen years, underage drinking citations where unheard of.

Since the 90′s I have seen a huge spike in the number of cases involving minor consuming. So much in fact, that kids these days look at it as a badge. A badge that said “sure im a bad ass. I got caught drinking”. Then starts the process. State law (if i remember) allows a minor 3 chances. then it turns to a criminal charge (Habitual Minor Consuming).

Thats where I see the problem. These days kids are so use to getting away with stuff that us in the “older generations” couldn’t get away with..they see it as a badge of honor.

I call on the Bethel City Council to enact tougher statues that will persuade our under 21 citizens to sway away from alcohol. What do i think? 1st offense $500 fine. 2nd offense $1000 fine and 24 hours in the juvenile detention center. 3rd offense $1500 fine and 72 hours in juvenile detention center.

That type of discipline will mean that teenagers will think twice about drinking. So I ask the Bethel City Council..lets do something about underage drinking. The state certainly is being to lax with their statues.

Everyone in the delta has grown up to believe if a person of the law knocks on your door, you are obliged to let them in. What they do not understand however is you have a right not to answer your door. The only time a police officer can enter your home is if there is probable cause or if they have a search warrant.

On February 15th, 2012 I was at home with my son. Earlier that day a trooper knocked on the door, and left. After lunch, i noticed there was again troopers outside. The troopers were Court Services Officer Davis, and Sgt. Widmier. I was under the suspicion they were here looking for someone who off/on stayed at the house and had some on-going issues with the law.

I did not answer the door. I then heard in a very loud voice “MR. PELTOLA OPEN THE DOOR WE KNOW YOUR IN THERE”

Knowing I wasn’t breaking any laws, and the fact that I was not obligated in any way to open the door, I didn’t. The window in front of the house (shades) were up so they could clearly see into the house.

A few seconds later, I heard my front door open, and seen a flash light. I had my son in my arms, and when he entered the 2nd room (we live in a small quancet hut that’s only 30 feet wide by 40 feet long…) he stated “Why didn’t you answer the door?” I told him it was my given right not to answer the door.

I then asked Sgt. Widmier why he opened my door uninvited and without probable cause. Officer Davis, who remained outside then said “Gary, we are here just to give you papers.” I looked at them and told him “I already got these papers and know everything about it”

I again asked Sgt. Widmier why he entered my house without a warrant, his response was “We do welfare checks all the time” my response was “Did you hear anyone screaming, or laying on the floor, or yelling for help?” He said “Well we can get child services involved if you want to go down that road” I said “Why? because I would not answer my door?” To this day, I am at awe that he would say such a statement, when my child (who was in my arms while talking to them) was clearly being taken care of….

I then asked for Sgt. Widmier’s supervisors name, he than stated “I am the Supervisor”.

Once they left, I called the Bethel post and asked for the commanding officer for Bethel post (Lt. Tracy) and filed a complaint.

Yesterday (March 9th, 2012) I happened to call Lt. Tracy to follow up my complaint. He stated they were administratively reprimanded and given additional counciling.

With this story set forth, I made a complaint to the troopers, when likely anyone else in my position may never have done. I grew up in a family who had strong values, and a father who dealt with various law enforcement over the years, and he always told me that there will always be officer’s who could push the law in his favor, he always will. I can tell you honestly, after they left I was very mad, and I told myself that I would let it go and forget about it. Yet after a few hours, I got madder and madder, and thought of what my dad said to me.

Maybe I made a difference for the next guy. Maybe I didn’t. I will never know.

History

Bethel Alaska was first established by Yupik Eskimos who called the village “MAMTERILLERMIUT,” meaning “Smokehouse People,” named for the nearby fish smokehouse. There were 41 people in Bethel during the 1880 U.S. Census. At that time, it was an Alaska Commercial Company Trading Post. The Moravian Church established a mission in the area in 1884. The community was moved to its present location due to erosion at the prior site. A post office was opened in 1905. Before long, Bethel was serving as a trading, transportation and distribution center for the region, which attracted Natives from surrounding villages. Over time, federal and state agencies established regional offices in Bethel. ” The city was incorporated in 1957.

Bethel, one of the largest communities in western Alaska, lies within the 20 million-acre Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, the largest wildlife refuge in the nation. Bethel serves as an administrative and transportation hub for 56 villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Transportation:

The State-owned Bethel Airport is the regional transportation center, and is served by two major passenger airlines, two cargo carriers, and numerous air taxi services. The airport ranks third in the state for total number of flights. It is currently undergoing a $7 million renovation and expansion. Two float plane bases are nearby, Hangar Lake and H Marker Lake. The Port of Bethel is the northern-most medium-draft port in the U.S. River travel is the primary means of local transportation in the summer, and it becomes a 150-mile ice road to surrounding villages in the winter. A barge service based in Bethel provides goods to the Kuskokwim villages. There are 16 miles of local roads.

Climate:

Precipitation averages 16 inches a year in this area, with snowfall of 50 inches. Summer temperatures range from 62 to 42; winter temperatures average 19 to -2.

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