The Warming Center on Meridian from Anthony RiffeJudi Funk
From: Tony Riffe <astriffe@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 8:27 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL The warming center on Meridian
Mr. Mayor and members of the Kalispell City Council,
I reside on Appleway Drive for reference. The homeless situation has gotten steadily worse
since the warming center has been operating on Meridian. It attracts them, in other words. I
know business managers at Ace, Conoco and the Alano club and they all have said how the
crimes committed by them and nuisance has greatly increased. Some of my neighbors fear of
walking on Rails to Trails due to them, which was not the case 4 years ago. These homeless
have no regard for private property, they defecate in broad daylight on sidewalks, on the fuel
island of the Appleway Conoco and so forth. They harass children to the point parents do not
let them walk to school anymore, I mean, Edgerton is right down the street. They break into
vehicles and even camp out in our stairwells in my complex. They openly drink and do drugs in
public. If I walk Rails to Trails I now feel I have to carry my firearm after a mugging attempt on
myself and my neighbor. I and others have had it.
I urge the Council to close the warming center, they have not met their 3 year plan in any
event. I do have sympathy for displaced families that, say, one of the parents lost a job and
need a helping hand, I have no issue with that. But the homeless situation is not like that. It
needs to be addressed sooner than later and the police need to be free to use any means to
abate this situation.
Thank you for your consideration and time.
Anthony Riffe
10 Appleway Dr. Apt. 1
Kalispell, MT. 59901
406-212-2972
1