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Meth & Mayhem: Missoula Sees Violent Crime Plunge After Federal Push
MISSOULA, MT – The streets of Missoula County are a little less bloody. A year after the launch of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a federal initiative targeting violent offenders, the county has seen an 18.1 percent decrease in murder, robbery, and aggravated assault. That translates to at least 60 fewer victims of violent crime compared to the previous 12 months, according to the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and Missoula Police Department. The numbers, announced today by top federal, state, and local prosecutors, offer a rare glimmer of hope in a city that had been spiraling into increased violence.
The crackdown, spearheaded by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, Montana Department of Justice’s Communications Director John Barnes and Missoula County Attorney Kirsten Pabst, isn’t just about statistics. It’s about dismantling drug trafficking rings, yanking methamphetamine off the streets, and getting firearms out of the hands of criminals. Since May 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s office has charged 43 defendants with federal meth trafficking, armed robbery, and firearms offenses. “PSN in Missoula County is paying off,” Alme stated bluntly. “The hard work…is making a real difference.”
The scope of the seizures is staggering. Federal cases have yielded 20.5 pounds of methamphetamine – a mind-numbing 74,292 doses with an estimated street value of $656,000. Law enforcement also confiscated 44 firearms, including three semi-automatic assault-style rifles. The U.S. Marshals Service Violent Offender Task force hasn’t been idle either, serving 330 federal and state warrants on violent offenders within Missoula County. But the operation isn’t solely a federal effort. Missoula County has independently charged 26 individuals with state-level crimes, including meth and heroin possession, assault with a weapon, burglary, deliberate homicide, and strangulation.
The turnaround is particularly striking when considering the recent past. From 2011 to 2017, Missoula’s violent crime rate spiked by 49 percent. Methamphetamine was identified as the primary fuel for this surge. Prior to PSN, violent crime had been on a steady upward trajectory. Now, numbers have fallen 18.1 percent to 271 crimes, following a 4.9 percent decline (331 crimes) in the prior year. Attorney General Tim Fox, speaking from Helena, emphasized the collaborative effort: “Through targeted enforcement we have saved lives…and brought many of the worst offenders to justice.”
But officials aren’t declaring victory just yet. The focus remains on not just arresting offenders, but also curbing the demand for methamphetamine. County Attorney Pabst highlighted the success of PSN in breaking down silos between agencies. “PSN’s greatest accomplishment is that it has bridged a historical gap,” Pabst explained. “Bringing all of the key players to the same table…eliminating red tape and duplicative efforts.” The goal, she stressed, is to identify the most dangerous individuals, focus resources, and make Missoula’s neighborhoods demonstrably safer. The program intends to continue its current enforcement strategy.
While the numbers offer a welcome reprieve, the Grimy Times will continue to monitor the situation on the ground. The fight against violent crime is far from over, and the specter of methamphetamine continues to loom large over Missoula County. We will be watching to see if these gains are sustainable, and whether the collaborative spirit of Project Safe Neighborhoods can truly turn the tide.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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