06-03-20 Police Dept. Press Release- Peaceful Assembly
POLICE DEPARTMENT
312 1st Ave East – PO Box 1997 – Kalispell, MT 59903
‘Striving to Exceed Expectations’
DOUG OVERMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Press Release
Late last week the Kalispell Police Department was approached by a local group expressing their
support for local law enforcement while expressing concern for events nationally. The group
expressed they would be maintaining a peaceful presence near Depot Park. The Kalispell Police
Department supports their right to a peaceful assembly calling for peace and growth.
Additionally, we have been contacted by several citizens’ groups desiring to protect the Kalispell
Community relating to outside groups coming to the area to agitate otherwise peaceful
demonstrations. We are carefully following all intelligence and have no direct information that
any outside groups are planning an event in the Kalispell area.
We are in constant communication with other law enforcement agencies in the valley and stand
committed to support each other should the events be compromised by groups with ill intent.
Again, all information at this time indicate the organized event is intended to be a peaceful,
lawful demonstration.
The Kalispell Police Department would ask any citizen’s groups that choose to be present to
recognize the rights of those gathering to express themselves peacefully. We monitor the best
available intelligence and are prepared to respond to support our community.
If you plan a counter demonstration or presence in the community, please do so in a separate
area. It is through respectful, peaceful dialogue that we will come to the best outcomes for all
of the citizens of the Flathead Valley.
Thank you,
Chief Doug Overman