“We have a very sick community and we need to try making things turn around and make it a healing community.”

That’s from Carol Piscoya, one of the civilians sworn into Nome’s new Public Safety Advisory Commission. The commission is grappling with a history of sexual assault cases that have gone without investigation.

As the first of its kind in Alaska, the goal of the commission is twofold: to create a layer of civilian accountability for the police department and to help the city create a safe environment for its residents, such as looking at helpful ways to address substance abuse in the community.

Picture at top: Three members of Nome’s newly formed public safety commission: from left to right, Carol Piscoya (Deputy Chair), Irvin Barnes (Chair), and Traci McGarry. The commission has a total of nine members.

Image at top: Three members of Nome’s newly formed public safety commission: from left to right, Carol Piscoya (Deputy Chair), Irvin Barnes (Chair), and Traci McGarry. The commission has a total of nine members.

Image at top: Three members of Nome’s newly formed public safety commission: from left to right, Carol Piscoya (Deputy Chair), Irvin Barnes (Chair), and Traci McGarry. The commission has a total of nine members.