GREAT FALLS — The Great Falls Crime Task Force was established on April 6, 2021. Members have met several times and received briefings from several organizations about various areas related to crime in Great Falls.
The Task Force has identified four focus areas:
- Resources for Local Criminal Justice Systems
- Communication and Education
- Consequences
- Partnerships/Collaboration
The Task Force met on August 23, 2021, to discuss draft recommendations on the four focus areas regarding how to more effectively address crime in Great Falls.
The Task Force draft recommendations are posted on the City’s website.
The Task Force is now soliciting public comment on the draft recommendations.
Residents can submit comments in writing to the City Manager’s Office, PO Box 5021, Great Falls, MT 59403, or by sending an email to kartis@greatfallsmt.net.
Ensure that the comments arrive before 12:00 PM on September 13, 2021 in order to be shared with the Task Force and appropriate city staff for consideration, and to be included in the official record of the meeting.
Task Force members were confirmed by the City Commission during the May 18, 2021 meeting. Members are:
- Shawna Jarvey – Transition Consultant, Benefis Health (Resigned 8/7/2021)
- Nichole Griffith – Victim Witness Program
- Sandra Guynn – Chair of Neighborhood Council of Councils and President of Crime Stoppers - Chair
- Sara Sexe – City Attorney
- Jeff Newton – Chief of Police - Vice Chair
- Jesse Slaughter – Cascade County Sheriff
- John Parker – District Court Judge
- Shane Etzwiler – Chamber of Commerce
- Mary Lynne Billy – Indian Family Health Clinic (Resigned 6/24/2021)
- Dugan Coburn, Director of Indian Education with Great Falls Public Schools. - Confirmed to the Task Force 7/20/2021
