State of Montana Newsroom
Governor Gianforte Thanks Law Enforcement, Receives Update on Public Safety in Billings
HELENA, Mont. – Before attending the Montana Association of Counties 2022 Annual Conference yesterday, Governor Greg Gianforte visited with local judges and law enforcement to receive an update on public safety in Yellowstone County.
“Public safety is top of mind for folks here in Billings. We’ll continue to work closely with our partners on the ground to hold drug dealers accountable and get more Montanans connected to treatment,” Gov. Gianforte said.
Gov. Gianforte meets with Judge Knisely and Judge Souza in the Yellowstone County Courthouse
In a meeting at the Yellowstone County Courthouse, Governor Gianforte sat down with 13th Judicial District Court judges Mary Jane Knisely and Rod Souza.
Both judges emphasized the importance of alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders, including treatment courts. The governor and judges’ conversation also focused on strategies to support those struggling with addiction in earning a job and getting clean, sober, and healthy.
“Treatment courts provide Montanans struggling with addiction with hope, opportunity, and purpose,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I appreciate Judge Knisely and Judge Souza’s commitment to building a healthier Yellowstone County.”
Gov. Gianforte then visited the Billings Police Department where he received an update from Chief of Police Rich St. John and Assistant Chief Jeremy House on public safety and drug-related crime in Billings.
“With drugs flooding into Montana from the southern border, this is an all-hands-on-deck moment,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Law enforcement officers in Billings and across the state are working day and night to get drugs off the street, and we owe them our utmost thanks.”
Gov. Gianforte receives an update from Billings Police Chief St. John at the Billings Police Department
After investing $2.3 million last year to complement public safety efforts in Yellowstone County, Governor Gianforte in January convened a roundtable with local officials, including Judge Knisely and Chief St. John, to discuss efforts to make Billings a safer, stronger community. The governor has since held similar roundtables in Great Falls, Missoula, Big Timber, Butte, and Kalispell.