The Helena City Commission has voted 4-1 to rescind the city’s decision to remove itself from the Missouri River Drug Task Force. At their Mayor Emily Dean told the Commission and the gathered citizenry that they were “being baited into a fight that is rigged.”
That decision delighted Gov. Greg Gianforte and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who was ready to levy a fine of $10,000 for each 5-days the resolution.
Now, the backstory: Police Chief Brett Petty’s decision to remove itself from the Task Force because they agreed to collaborate with the Border Patrol and ICE was backed-up by the Commission. The Chief said he’d rather his officers focus on Helena’s drug problems and not border enforcement. The Task Force includes officers from Lewis & Clark, Gallatin, Park, Meagher, Madison, Broadwater and Sweet Grass Counties working with Federal authorities on drug enforcement. He says he doesn’t agree with the Task Force getting involved with immigration enforcement.
That was a step too far for Attorney General Austin Knudsen and GOP legislators, who passed House Bill 200 in the 2021 Session. That bill made it illegal for any Montana City to be a “sanctuary city”.
The Commission held a special meeting at the Helena Civic Center brought-out more than 5-hours of public comment.
With the advice of Counsel, the Commissioners decided there was just too much legal downside to continue to resist. Many in the citizenry shouted “Shame, Shame” as the event concluded.
