Valdez Police Department

10/15/2026

🫨Join your neighbors, coworkers, and friends from around Alaska in recognizing the Great Alaska ShakeOut Day!
Take a few minutes to practice what to do when the ground starts shaking. It’s a simple step that could help protect you and the people you care about.

If an earthquake happens, remember: Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
• DROP to your hands and knees so you aren’t knocked over.
• COVER your head and neck and, if possible, get under a sturdy table or desk.
• HOLD ON until the shaking stops, staying under your shelter if you can.
• If you’re indoors, stay inside and keep away from windows, glass, and anything that could fall.
• If you’re outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
• If you’re driving, pull over safely, stop, and remain in your vehicle until the shaking stops.

🤔How’s your emergency plan? Take some time to check your emergency supplies, talk with your household about how you’ll reconnect if separated, and make sure everyone knows what to do.
👉For tips, visit: www.valdezak.gov/PlanAhead

09/03/2026

🫎🦌🐏It's hunting season! We all want to get out there and shoot something ... but did you know there are local laws prohibiting fi****ms, hunting, and trapping in certain areas around Valdez?!

Five things to remember before you head out
• Discharging a fi***rm in town is illegal by default. You need to be in one of the named ranges or mapped zones, and some of those zones are shotgun-only. Know the map -- psst, it's in the link below!
• Four spots are completely closed to hunting and trapping: the Duck Flats, Mineral Creek State Park, Nayurluku Park at Meals Hill, and within 500 feet of the Mineral Creek ski trails.
• Trapping is regulated within City limits. Know the map!
• A citation under any of these sections means mandatory court - this isn't a fine you can just pay online.
• City rules sit on top of state law, not instead of it. Check both before you head out!

🎯Visit https://bit.ly/ValdezHuntingCode for more info or contact VPD Dispatch at 907-835-4560 with any questions.

09/01/2026

U.S. Coast Guard Station Valdez and the Valdez Police Department will conduct joint training exercises in Valdez Harbor and Port today (September 1.) 🛟🚔

As part of the training, residents may notice an increased law enforcement presence or see officers interacting with the Coast Guard's local law enforcement unit and participating community vessels. The exercise is designed to strengthen coordinated response capabilities for scenarios such as active assailant incidents and other emergencies.

This is a planned training exercise only. There is no threat to the public.

The City of Valdez, Alaska - Government appreciates the strong partnerships between our local, state, and federal public safety agencies. Training together helps ensure our responders are prepared to work seamlessly when our community needs them most.

08/31/2026

Obtain information about being prepared in case of an emergency.

08/14/2026

🔥 BURN PERMIT SUSPENSION — Valdez-Copper River Area

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection has suspended burn permits for the Valdez-Copper River Area, effective since 8 AM Aug. 13 until further notice.
Persistent hot, dry weather has pushed fire danger to VERY HIGH: vegetation is primed to ignite and fire can spread fast.
🚫 Suspended:
• Burn barrels
• Cardboard incinerators
• Debris burning
• Lawn burning under small or large-scale permit
✅ Still allowed:
Commercially manufactured burning devices (propane grills, portable camp stoves, etc.) and small cooking/warming fires. But you must stay with it and fully extinguish before leaving.
📞 Questions? Contact the State Burn Advisory Line: 907-822-8665
This suspension is issued and enforced by the State of Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.

🔥 BURN PERMIT SUSPENSION — Valdez-Copper River Area

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection has suspended burn permits for the Valdez-Copper River Area, effective since 8 AM Aug. 13 until further notice.

Persistent hot, dry weather has pushed fire danger to VERY HIGH: vegetation is primed to ignite and fire can spread fast.

🚫 Suspended:
• Burn barrels
• Cardboard incinerators
• Debris burning
• Lawn burning under small or large-scale permit

✅ Still allowed:
Commercially manufactured burning devices (propane grills, portable camp stoves, etc.) and small cooking/warming fires. But you must stay with it and fully extinguish before leaving.

📞 Questions? Contact the State Burn Advisory Line: 907-822-8665

This suspension is issued and enforced by the State of Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.

Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection - DFFP
Valdez Fire Department
Valdez Police Department
•
•
Updated 8/14/26 - 10:15AM to fix graphic

08/08/2026

🌊⚠️ Ready isn’t just a word. It’s a plan.

Valdez has once again earned national StormReady® and TsunamiReady® recognition (with help from our friends at the US National Weather Service Anchorage Alaska), confirming that our community has the planning, warning systems, communication tools, and resources in place to respond when severe weather or a tsunami threatens.

In Valdez, we know conditions can change quickly. Being prepared before an emergency gives you more time to act when it matters.

🚨Do your part to stay ready:
• Sign up for Valdez emergency alerts
• Know your tsunami zone & route: https://bit.ly/InundationZone
• Have a family emergency plan
• Keep a few weeks of emergency supplies on hand
• Check on neighbors who may need extra help

This recognition reflects the work of first responders, City departments, partner agencies, and our entire community.

We’ll keep preparing. We ask you to do the same. 🚔🌊

💪For more information on preparing for emergencies, visit www.valdezak.gov/Prepared

07/07/2026

UPDATE 7/7/2026 at 5:25PM

This suspect has been identified. Thank you to all who messaged or called with tips.

The Valdez Police Department is seeking the public’s help identifying an individual who is a person of interest in theft investigation VPD Case 26-2473.

On July 4, 2026, at approximately 10:09 p.m., VPD responded to Safeway after an employee reported that their backpack had been taken from the walk-in cooler area where it had been stored.

Surveillance video shows this individual entering the cooler, taking the backpack, putting it on, and later leaving the store after making a purchase.

If you recognize this individual or have information that may assist with this investigation, please contact the Valdez Police Department at 907-835-4560 and reference the Safeway theft case.

Please do not post identifying information in the comments.

07/03/2026

Join us tomorrow to celebrate America's 250th and Valdez's 125th Independence Day down at Kelsey Dock Plaza!

🌭Schedule of Events🎆

Uncle Salmon Freedom 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run | Nayurluku Park
Registration - 8:00 am | 1 Mile - 9:00 am | 5K - 9:30 am
5K Registration: https://bit.ly/UncleSalmon5K-2026
1Mi Registration: https://bit.ly/UncleSalmon1Mile-2026

Vendor Market | Kelsey Dock Plaza
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Bike Decorating | 555 W Egan (City Building Maintenance Shop)
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Bounce Houses and Obstacle Course | Vendor Market (Hazelet)
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm (weather dependent)

Parade | corner of Egan, down Hazelet by Ruth Pond Park
12:30 pm

FREE Community Picnic | Kelsey Dock Plaza
1:00 pm - while supplies last

LIVE music Ladies Night | Kelsey Dock Plaza
11:30 am - 1:30 pm

LIVE music Blackwater Railroad Co. | Kelsey Dock Plaza
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

MOVIE: “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” | Civic Center
7:00 pm

🇺🇸

🙏Special thanks to City of Valdez Parks & Recreation, City of Valdez Ports and Harbors, and City of Valdez Public Works teams for all the work they have put in to make this event amazing!! (And an extra thank you to Valdez Emblem Club #514, U.S. Coast Guard Station Valdez, and Seed Media for their support.)

06/29/2026

Celebrate responsibly this weekend! 🎆🦅🇺🇸

06/26/2026

Don't give the gulls something to judge ... Contact Valdez Code Enforcement & City of Valdez Public Works about getting that pile of rusty car parts, appliances, and junk piling up in your yard! Utilizing the FREE Scrap Metal Recycling Drop-off Program is a perfect way to get the gossips off your back.
👉Learn more at www.valdezak.gov/metal

👀Did ya hear the latest gossip? Apparently, the birds are talking... and they think it's time to stop letting that rusty "I'll deal with it later" pile grow any bigger.

The City of Valdez's FREE Scrap Metal Drop-Off Recycling Program is open now, but not forever! The annual recycling barge leaves in August, so now's the perfect time to clear out old appliances, vehicle parts, fencing, metal shelving, and other scrap metal clutter.

Your garage gets cleaner.
Your yard gets tidier.
The birds have one less thing to judge. 🦅😅

Learn what you can bring, where to drop it off, and program details at www.valdezak.gov/metal.