Law roundup: People camping in vehicles allowed on empty lot

Someone complained about a parked van that hadn’t moved from its location in an empty lot since the end of May and thought someone was living in it when they saw a cooler and cooking station set up next to it. The van turned out to be parked on private property and people were allowed to park and camp in the empty lot, according to the Kalispell Police Department which already responded to prior calls about the same concern.

Someone allegedly keyed a car, drawing explicit images on it.

A manager reportedly heard someone yelling and went outside to see a shirtless man wearing khaki shorts throw down his belongings and punch a woman. The woman lay on the ground screaming as he grabbed his belongings and walked across the street. Officers spoke with the man who denied “laying hands on her” and said she was slapping him, so he walked away. The pair didn’t want to talk to the police further or pursue charges.

Someone was suspicious of people reportedly writing on an old building where they had burned a candle outside earlier in the week.

Officers told another caller reporting graffiti in a bike path tunnel that they had taken reports on the issue. The caller said they were going to call back asking for a supervisor to get a surveillance camera installed at the location “to catch the kids.”

A man allegedly rode his bike around harassing a woman who asked an officer to tell him she “wants space.” Officers were unable to locate the man.

Security reportedly wanted a “mouthy” woman wearing a blue shirt and black shorts sitting on a bench, who was talking to herself, removed for the day.

A later call came asking officers to check on the woman’s welfare, and then move her along because they allegedly thought she was having mental health issues when she was seen waving her arms, talking to herself and then began “beating up a sign.” Officers made contact with her in a parking lot and she said she was fine.

Someone was uncomfortable taking children out for recess after spotting a man and woman smoking something out in a field. The pair moved along.

A male reportedly driving his friend’s truck got into an argument with the friend’s dad who showed up and started yelling, trying to grab the keys.

An employee was trying to open a store for the day and was approached by a transient who walked up to her car. He then walked up to another car that pulled up and she wanted him moved along. He made his way into the store where a customer bought him food and she told officers she would call if he caused issues.

A vehicle driving at varying speeds reportedly kept crossing the center line.

A woman with a blue tent was allegedly found trespassing on someone’s property.