Missoula Crime Report: Surge in Felony Complaints This Week

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The Missoula County Attorney’s Office filed 22 new felony complaints this week, which is nine more than last week and higher than the weekly average. According to Chief Deputy County Attorney Mac Bloom, that’s the sixth-highest case total so far this year.  

“We charged nine violent persons crimes,” Bloom said. “Five of those were family violence, strangulation crimes, and four of those were non-family violence or robbery crimes. We charged three endangerment crimes, three property crimes, and seven drug crimes for a total of 22.” 

Bloom said 29 was the highest number of cases they have had in one week. 

“When we start getting over the 21 or 22 range, we're getting up there a little ways,” Bloom said. “We've been busy charging. We've had a couple of attorneys in trial the last couple of weeks. We've got two more attorneys in trial today and then we've got a slew of trials coming up over the next couple of weeks so we're staying busy.” 

When they do have a busy week or busy day, Bloom said everyone in his office steps up. 

“Our attorneys are willing to jump in and volunteer and help the designated charging attorney out,” Bloom said. “It's kind of a team effort. We work together and we get the job done. We're on strict timelines about when our cases have to be filed, so we couldn't do it without the group working together.” 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Bloom added that he believes more crimes are committed when the weather worsens. 

“I think what it is is more people are inside together and that leads to more conflict,” Bloom said. “That's just my guess. That's not scientific or anything, but it does seem to play out that way. When it's nice and the weather is good, people are outside, spread out, and having fun. It doesn't seem like we have quite as many problems.” 

The Missoula County Attorney’s Office provides a weekly crime report every Friday morning at 9:00 on Talk Back. You can listen to Bloom’s full report below: