Flathead Co. growth summit highlights increasing challenges for law enforcement - NBC Montana

KALISPELL, MONT. — The second growth summit for Flathead County wrapped up Tuesday in Kalispell.

The summit focused on expanding the conversation to identify community values and advocacy priorities and drive solutions to smart and positive growth.

During the summit, Flathead County Undersheriff Wayne DuBois highlighted the increasing struggles that come with the over 3,500 new residents making the Flathead their home.

“How have we grown? We haven’t, and that’s a part of the problem. We cannot continue to provide even the basic level of law enforcement service,” said DuBois.

According to DuBois, the sheriff’s office needs at least 30 more deputies to deal with the 20% increase in calls since 2018.

Yet the issue goes deeper than just needing personnel.

An increase in population and service calls puts pressure on the county jail and the space available.

“This whole thing about the jail, this has been going on for over a decade,” said DuBois. “We have nowhere to put these people. We are putting people in closets right now. We don’t have any room.”

According to DuBois, the sheriff’s office already has plans drawn up to add a jailhouse to the existing building with an estimated cost of around $60,000, but no action has been taken.

Kalispell City Manager Doug Russell chose not to comment when asked about DuBois’s remarks.

source: https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/flathead-co-growth-summit-highlights-increasing-challenges-for-law-enforcement

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