Private security firm begins patrolling downtown Kalispell

A private security agency hired to curb vagrancy in downtown Kalispell began its patrols last week with the business groups behind the effort reporting raising over $13,000 for the initiative.

In an update to the Kalispell Business Improvement District board on Tuesday morning, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce President Lorraine Clarno said that vehicle patrols are already underway, and that foot patrols were expected to begin Aug. 1.

The coalition of downtown groups behind the effort, which include the business improvement district, chamber and Kalispell Downtown Association, are close to reaching the $17,000 needed to fund the initiative. The groups began soliciting donations from downtown business owners earlier this summer.

The money will pay Talos Security, a private security firm, to patrol downtown as part of an effort to curb what business leaders have described as an increase in vagrancy in the city’s core area.

Board members were impressed with the results of fundraising efforts, noting participation from a variety of downtown businesses. They also applauded the amount raised after the chamber and downtown business groups circulated what the organizations described as a “call to action” last month.

Board member Marshall Noice said that the fundraising campaign among local businesses was an example of “capitalism at its best.”

Board member Kisa Davison encouraged other businesses to chip in, saying that even small contributions would help signify a united front.

“The amount isn’t important,” she said. “It’s that we all come together over this effort.”

Clarno advised downtown businesses to call patrollers employed by Talos Security about vagrancy-related security concerns before calling the Kalispell Police Department’s non-emergency number.

She said that Talos employees could decide which incidents required law enforcement intervention.

The chamber has worked with the company in the past, employing it to patrol the organization’s former headquarters adjacent to Depot Park. The organization vacated the building in June, citing homeless activity around its offices and describing it as interfering with business and creating an uncomfortable environment for visitors.

Chamber officials reported seeing a decrease in vagrancy and safety issues in the downtown park after bringing Talos Security on for night and daytime patrols.

Clarno also said that the coalition hoped to engage Talos to train the employees of downtown businesses in security related matters.

In the document circulated last month, the chamber said it planned on partnering with mental health care providers in the fall to provide voluntary de-escalation training to employees.

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.