A diverse group of local leaders, volunteers and advocates gathered Monday to highlight their support for a new Gallatin County Law and Justice Center.

Supporters included business leaders, conservationists, crime victim advocates and voter education groups.

“A new law and justice center will serve all members of our community and keep us safe,” Friends of Law and Justice spokesman Robert Lee said. “So, it’s appropriate that we have broad representatives from across the community demonstrating their support.”

Friends of Law and Justice has been steadily adding to its list of local supporters in advance of Election Day Nov. 8. To date, over 370 people, businesses, and community organizations and associations have publicly endorsed the Law and Justice Bond.

Local organizations that have endorsed the bond include: the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, the Bozeman League of Women Voters, Gallatin Ahead-Future West, Gallatin County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem, Gallatin County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Gallatin Valley DUI Task Force, Gallatin Valley Democrats and West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce.

Anita Nybo, past director for Gallatin County CASA/Guardians ad Litem, said a modern law and justice will ensure the safety of the growing number of crime and abuse—especially children—who seek help from the center’s on-site advocates.

“Right now, there aren’t secure holding areas for prisoners facing trial,” she said. “There’s a risk that victims will run into their abusers in the halls, because there’s just so little space. We need private areas where victims can speak to advocates and know that their safety isn’t compromised. The new law and justice center will provide this space and keep victims safe.”

Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Daryl Schliem said that voting “yes” for the Law and Justice Center will provide the police and sheriff’s agencies with the space and technology needed to keep the community safe into the future.

“People and businesses locate and stay in Gallatin County because it’s a great, safe place to live. We want to keep it that way,” he said. “The community is growing and we need to help law enforcement keep pace with that growth so that we can all continue to thrive.”

Randy Carpenter of Gallatin Ahead – Future West, also cited growth as a reason to support the bond.

“Our county’s growth has created the need for a new law and justice center. The current building just isn’t adequate. The building was constructed as a private high school 55 years ago and it can’t be updated to meet our needs,” he said.

Building the new center near its current site will allow the police, sheriff and courts to remain in one consolidated and central location, he said. “That’s smart growth. It saves us from developing new areas to house these services and it saves us all money by reducing the cost of operations and maintenance because the city and county are doing this project together. The new building will also be safer for the public and much more efficient in terms of energy.”

Judy Mathre, Board Member and Second Vice President of the Bozeman League of Women Voters, said her group is supporting the bond because it’s “good government.”

“Our law enforcement and justice system are critical parts of our democracy,” she said. “If we don’t adequately support them, we’re shortchanging ourselves and putting the safety of our community at risk.”

Mathre said the center will provide “privacy, security and access for all.”

“We’ve been making do for far too long in the old building,” she said. “An updated, modern law and justice center for Gallatin County is long overdue.”

Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin and Bozeman Police Chief Steve Crawford led a tour of the existing center following the speakers’ remarks.

About the Law and Justice Bond

The current law and justice center is located in a 55-year-old former high school that is structurally unsafe and cannot be cost-effectively updated. It lacks safety and security features such as holding areas for individuals in custody and facing trials, and is not wheelchair accessible. There is no space to grow.

The Gallatin County Law and Justice Bond and Bozeman mill levy would approve construction of a new $68.3 million facility for sheriff, police and courts to be located near the current center at 615 S. 16th Ave. in Bozeman.

Residents can get more information at www.yesforlawandjustice.org

Paid for Friends of Law and Justice,
Jim Drummond, treasurer.
2125 Baxter Dr.
Bozeman, MT 59718