City manager responds to letter on police

Historically, the city of Columbia Falls does not respond to letters to the editor in this manner. In this case, we could not directly contact the commenting party. The phone number Jeff Nelson provided to Hungry Horse News was a fax line belonging to a respectable businessman out of the city limits that had never heard of Mr. Nelson. Mr. Nelson did not respond to my e-mail request to discuss his research and comments nor could I locate an address inside the city limits for Jeff Nelson, so I will respond publicly.

Per city code, “the manager shall be available regularly and frequently to receive citizen complaints and to hear ideas and proposals for the improvement of the city and community.” I take that duty seriously and respond to all comments and complaints.

Our police officers provide the necessary balance of enforcing the law and protecting the public. U.S. Highway 2 has been classified as a “high crash corridor” by the Montana Department of Transportation. This is not a designation that we would like to keep nor are we proud of it.

This designation means that our police department is required to provide a higher level of enforcement on U.S. 2 as it is dangerous. The speed limits have been set by the Montana Department of Transportation based on the amount of traffic and the number and location of businesses and residences along U.S. 2.

The section of 25 mph speed limit is absolutely necessary to slow down traffic for public safety. There have been collisions and near misses due to excessive speed through our city. One of the most troublesome areas is at U.S. 2 and Fourth Avenue West. Fourth Avenue West is the home to Glacier Gateway Elementary to the north and Pinewood Park and Pool and bike path to the south. As such, this intersection is heavily used by pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles.

As citizens of Columbia Falls, we expect the traveling public to watch out for children and adults crossing the highway at all marked and unmarked intersections and to allow them to do so safely. Part of the safe crossing is to follow the posted speed limits. Naturally, the speed is reduced as the residences and businesses increase. The police officers will stop vehicles that are exceeding the speed limits resulting in unsafe conditions. Drivers will receive a warning or a ticket depending on the circumstances.

As far as the officers being unable to “crawl out of the cars,” police officers do not jump out of their vehicles like teenagers. The officer exits the vehicle slowly and deliberately, keeping an eye on the vehicle that he just pulled over while listening to the radio for any warnings or information. In addition, the officer is exiting the vehicle with a minimum of 25 pounds of cumbersome, but required, gear around his waist and a protective vest.

The city is approximately two square miles, and the officers routinely patrol all areas within the city limits. Traffic safety is just one aspect of their duties. They keep watch for unlawful or unsafe activities and suspicious behavior.

For the month of January, they patrolled over 4,735 miles. Officers had 155 traffic stops for which they issued 106 traffic tickets and four DUI tickets. They arrested 20 individuals, investigated nine accidents, handled three criminal mischief incidents, recovered $30,000 in stolen property, received 485 incident reports, responded to 14 domestic abuse cases and four felony investigations — all of this and the police chief reported that it was a slower then usual month.

Please contact me should you have any concerns or comments on any city operation or activity. The city council’s mission is to provide a safe community for our residents.

Susan Nicosia is the city manager of Columbia Falls.