Kurt Alme – Tim Fox Speak out on Supporting Law Enforcement

U.S. Attorney for Montana Kurt Alme and Montana Attorney General Tim Fox recently combined to write an op-ed encouraging Montanans to support law enforcement, especially in the current atmosphere of defunding police around the country.

Alme referenced a visit to Missoula in 2018 where he, Missoula County Attorney Kirsten Pabst and a room full of law enforcement officials provided an update on Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Alme provided the latest update to that effort to reduce drug related crime in western Montana.

“We’ve just announced next year’s results,” said Alme. “Over two years violent crime in Missoula County due to the focused efforts of all local, state and federal law enforcement; you mentioned County Attorney Kirsten Pabst and Attorney General Tim Fox. Everyone has been working together to target those individuals who are most violent in Missoula County. As a result, violent crime has dropped almost 26 percent in Missoula County.”

Attorney General Fox, who co-wrote the opinion piece, provided somber statistics regarding law enforcement personnel throughout the country and the state of Montana.

“Did you know that there were 60,000 law enforcement officers assaulted each year on average,” said Fox. “That’s a rate of almost 11 officers per 100. In Montana we’ve had 130 officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wade Palmer of Missoula almost lost his life while he was out trying to protect the rest of us from an active shooter.”

Alme concluded by addressing Montana’s law enforcement community directly.

“To all of you who are sworn law enforcement, who carry a gun and a badge and go out there every day and put your lives at risk for those of us who don’t, just let me say ‘thank you’,” he said. “I want you to know that I and the people in my office, the prosecutors and professional staff, and I think I can speak on behalf of the people of Montana who are very grateful for what you do for us day in and day out. You serve in an honorable profession and we are very grateful that you are out there doing that for us.”

Alme, the U.S. Attorney is appointed by the President, while Fox is concluding his second term as Montana’s Attorney General.