 Gallatin County DUI Task
Minutes: September 21st 2005
Members:
Bob Larson, Chairperson
Shanda Smith, GCCHD
Alex Fuller, Gallatin County Sheriff
Amos Ridenour, MSU Police
Matthew Lowy, County Attorney’s Office
Marty Kent, Bozeman PD
E J Clark, Belgrade PD
Steve Keim, Bozeman PD
Todd Whipple, County Attorney’s Office
Steve Scott, Volunteer
Absent:
Price Klaas
Susan Wordal
Katie Donath, excused
Guests:
Tiffani Pimley, Adolescent Resource Center
Minutes for August 17th approved. Shanda moved, Bob seconded.
Guest Presentation: Community Involvement Quarterly Report, Adolescent Resource Center. Tiffani Pimley discussed how the $2,500 grant from the DUI Task Force was being used to fund children involvement in community programs. The participants helped various community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, The City of Bozeman, Bridger Clinic, and others. The money from the grant is primarily being used for tools and supplies needed by the kids. One concern she mentioned that they monitor closely is to ensure child labor laws are not violated by the participants. Tiffani provided two hand-outs that list the sponsors, hours worked by the participants, and responses to questions asked of the participants.
New Business :
Matthew Lowy was introduced and welcomed as a new task member representing the County Attorney’s Office. He is a Deputy County Attorney and will be prosecuting DUI cases in Gallatin County.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)
Matt Lowy stated that he is making an effort to get HGN certified so that it can be used in court as a tool to prosecute drunk drivers. Because of the high refusal rate in Montana for taking the chemical test HGN is important in proving intoxication of the driver. Matt further stated that he wants to get as many officers trained as possible.
Alex stated that he is qualified on HGN. He said that not many officers in the county are qualified to teach the technique. He said he would inquire into who is qualified.
Award Criteria for next Swimming Upstream Awards
Jenna – What should we do in giving awards to law enforcement? Do we want to award individuals or give general department awards? The Task Force wants to award officers and judges, but how do we do it?
EJ Clark – Small town agencies don’t like individual awards, they would prefer awards be given to a team. Award for going “that extra mile” is not always possible. Some agencies can’t do extra patrols because of their size. Don’t forget about dispatchers in 911 centers. They often go unrecognized.
Marty Kent – Awards for doing what is the officer’s job doesn’t have much meaning. Also, these kinds of awards can create competition. We should look at giving the awards to Judges and Attorneys. The best place to recognize departments is in the newspaper.
Bob – It is really important that we find a way to give recognition to individuals in law enforcement agencies.
Jenna – It is some time before the Swimming Upstream Awards, but we need to discuss.
Report on Activities:
Progress on by-laws - Letter establishing DUI Task Force – Located and dated June 4, 1984. Needed in order to appoint new members.
Midnight Mania, September 30th
Jenna asked for volunteers. This is the MSU alternative party for home coming. It is an alcohol and drug free environment with a cross section of the students attending. The Task Force will maintain tables with DUI information and material. There will be Task Force key chains and wooden nickels given out. In the past the DUI Goggles were a hit. Several more pair are needed. There will also be a DUI awareness contest.
Deaconess Hospital Presentation on Women and Alcohol by Jenna was well received.
Wooden nickels with DUI message handed out at Catapoolza seemed successful though a lot are left.
No answer yet on AAA Grant and Department Highway Traffic Safety concerning alcohol screening in hospital emergency rooms.
Finances:
Profit and Loss Budget vs Actual - $15,000 per year for mini grants, $5,000 for Over Time. We should hold OT to one quarter at this time.
Expanding rides to prevent DUI beyond Cat Cab:
Mat Lowy – What alternatives are there for adult transportation for people who need a ride when drinking?
Jenna – Catcab is expensive so it may not be a good model for the community.
Catcab is expensive so it may not be a good model for the community.
Amos – Part of the community policing policy allows for rides some times.
Mini-grants
Bob – Since we only have $5,000 possibly for the year suggest we revisit dates or how we can overlap agencies. Some dates are for the same period. We want full force high visibility to show deterrent but we are limited and don’t have sufficient funds.
Marty- Bozeman PD can retract some of the money asked for.
EJ – Some agencies will get STEP money (Federal Funds) that can off set.
Jenna and Bob – We have to approve some grants tonight because of time.
Motion – Proposed by EJ and seconded by Alex – Motion approved to fund West Yellowstone’s request for $200 5 hour shifts.
Motion – Proposed by Bob and seconded by Amos – Motion approved to fund Bozeman PD for October 29 for $368 for 2 – 4 hour shifts.
Motion – Proposed by EJ and seconded by Shanda – Motion approved to fund Sheriff’s for 4 OT patrols at $227.20 or $908.80
Motion – Proposed by Amos and seconded by Alex – Motion approved to fund Belgrade PD for 1 OT patrol 5 hour at $39 for $197.15
Jenna suggested that since we only have $5,000 for OT we should only spend $3500 through the holidays.
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.
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