The Helena Police Department has removed itself from the Missouri River Drug Task Force. Police Chief Brett Petty says they disagree with the task force’s decision to collaborate with U.S. Border Patrol agents. The Helena City Council apparently agrees, voting 4-1 to end the relationship with the Tax Force
Chief Petty says he want to make sure 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.
There’s a price to be paid for Helena’s withdrawal: the loss of $30,000 in annual funding for its participation in the Task Force. According to the Helena Independent Record, the East Helena Police Department will continue with the Task Force.
Helena citizens are expressing concerns about safety and transparency in federal immigration activities.
