A community group is working with local law enforcement and justice system representatives to create a public safety plan that will be shared with elected officials. Pachyderm Club board member, former Kalispell Police Chief and local state representative Frank Garner said the idea for the plan emerged from a series of public safety presentations the club hosted this year.
The series has included talks from law enforcement, court system representatives and even local drug councilors. The series wrap up is being held on April 14 at the Red Lion Inn from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will feature an hour-long panel discussion with local experts before attendees will be asked to share what they believe are the biggest safety issues in the community. That feedback will then be turned into a public safety plan.
“We don’t want to just be witnesses to what’s happening in our community we want to make it better,” Garner said. “There is no silver bullet to these problems our community faces. A new jail is not going to solve all of our issues, it may be part of a solution, but it won’t solve the drug problem here or the many other issues.”