Talk:Hyder, Alaska

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[edit] LAW ENFORCEMENT

Is it true that they use the RCMP and Canadian courts? I find this difficult to believe, given that US law and Canadian law differ substantially on a number of areas. I heard that if law enforcement is needed, they radio to Ketchikan to have an Alaska State Trooper come.

Also, the Post Office isn't the only US Government presence; there are also US Forest Service people there from time to time.

It is true that they primarily use Canadian currency.

Follow-up comment, sorry, I don't really know how I'm supposed to contribute to the discussion in here.

I'm fairly certain that they use US police. A Mountie from Stewart once told me a story of state troopers flying into Stewart, crossing the border into Hyder, arresting someone, then taking him across the border to fly back to Alaska. This is secondhand info, yeah. From what I remember, there were no cops in Hyder--they'd only be sent if something serious happened.

On the subject of schools, the teacher of US history also taught social studies -- the Alaskan government probably paid part of his salary, and they certainly gave a fair bit of money to the school district, but they didn't retain a teacher just for US history. From what I've heard the school built in Hyder was shut down after the number of enrolled students dropped, and now people have to send their children to boarding school.

They do, in fact use the RCMP and the Canadian courts. Through an Alaskan state provided supplement to their salaries, 2 judges in Stewart were educated in certain differences between Canadian constitutional law and American/AK state constitutional law. Civil law remains American as well, although this is not an issue, as the civil doctrine is identical in both countries- Preponderance of the evidence instead of reasonable doubt, Negligence, the reasoble person doctrine. Provided by agreement with the canadiens, Hyder misdemenor crimes are identical to Stewerts. Alaska state misdemenors do not exist in Stewert. A RCMP in Stewert is permitted to arrest US citizens in Hyder for misdemenor charges, and try them in Canadien courts. Felony charges, however are handled by State Troopers brought in, but arrest and holding is allowed to be done by RCMP officers while waiting for the trooper. It's a mix of both legal systems. (Although there really is far less difference then you'd think. Being from Southeast Alaska, as well as a former resident of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, a city split between America and Canada, I've been under the jurisdiction of both sets for significant portions of my life.) -AKMask 18:12, 2 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Hmmm

Not sure, good questions though Jarfingle 07:07, 26 January 2006 (UTC)