BILLINGS—The surge in violent crime in Billings has reached a boiling point, with a 75 percent increase in crime from 2010 through 2017, according to the Billings Police Department. As part of a broader effort to combat the crisis, Yellowstone Substance Abuse Connect, a coalition organized to create a comprehensive community plan to reduce substance abuse, has been awarded a major federal grant worth $358,741.
The grant, awarded this week as part of a broader effort to fight violent crime in the community, will be administered by the Billings Police Department on behalf of the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Task Force (HIDTA Task Force) to fund the efforts of Yellowstone Connect. The initiative has already gained momentum, with over 60 enforcement, judicial, corrections, medical, mental health, treatment, and prevention organizations partnering with the coalition.
Yellowstone Connect was organized through the leadership of United Way of Yellowstone County and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an enforcement initiative reinvigorated a year ago by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to reduce violent crime. Meth trafficking and use have been identified as the leading cause of the increase in violent crime in Billings, and enforcement partners have already made arrests leading to 90 individuals being charged with meth trafficking, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms by felons and other prohibited persons.
“We are pleased that the community received this money which will fund a key part of PSN’s goal to reduce violent crime by fighting meth trafficking and use,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. “Vigorous enforcement is only part of the solution; we need the community’s help to reduce use through additional prevention, treatment, and drug court diversion.”
The Yellowstone Connect funding will be used to hire a full-time coordinator to oversee the initiative, which has four main strategies: to conduct a needs assessment to determine prevention, diversion, and treatment needs and community resources; to develop and implement a comprehensive prevention and diversion plan; to improve treatment services and access to care; and to enhance data collection and analysis.
“We are lucky to have the right leadership at the Yellowstone Connect table to make the most of this opportunity,” said Kristin Lundgren, United Way’s Director of Impact. “We have the enforcement leadership from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Montana Attorney General’s Office, and the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office, and all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. We have leadership from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and our local leaders in treatment, prevention, and diversion.”
With the grant funding in place, Yellowstone Connect is poised to make a significant impact in reducing substance abuse and violent crime in Billings. The coalition’s efforts will be closely watched by law enforcement officials and community leaders, who hope that the initiative will serve as a model for other communities struggling with similar issues.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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