KETCHIKAN — A Ketchikan woman is leading an effort to show local and state law enforcement agencies that they have the community’s support by taking a plunge in the Pacific Ocean.
The “Plunge for Peace” event, organized by Debbie Karlson, will take place Saturday at Ketchikan’s Knudson Cove. She says docks will be cleared of boats to make way for jumpers, The Ketchikan Daily News reported.
Karlson said the idea for the plunge came out of wanting to show support for law enforcement following the killings of police in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“I just decided (that) I might as well throw myself off the dock now, and I thought, ‘I wonder how many people feel the same way,’ and then, ‘Gee, I wonder how many people will join me,’” Karlson said.
Ketchikan police Chief Alan Bengaard said Ketchikan is fortunate because support for officers “has always been huge.”
“We’re facing a time in our country where, most law enforcement agencies in the country, basically feel under siege or under attack,” Bengaard said. “We are very fortunate here. We’ve had community support for my entire career, and I think it’s one of the advantages of having an isolated, or relatively isolated community like we do.”
Karlson had initially reached out to the City Council and the police department to have the event at one of the downtown cruise ship berths. However, the request was denied based on safety and legal concerns.
The Plunge for Peace event will recognize Ketchikan police, Alaska State Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Anyone interested in jumping will have to sign a waiver, Karlson said.
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