Wolf Point Police Keeping Watch On Public Intoxication

The Wolf Point Police Chief announced last week that the department is stressing that any public intoxication will not be tolerated in the city. Along with continuing enforcement of other crimes, the police will make crimes such as open containers, illegal drug use, loitering and disorderly conduct among their priorities.

“It was always the plan,” Chief Anthony Cambridge said about an effort against public intoxication. “I wanted to learn how things worked before I tackle certain issues.”

Cambridge said he doesn’t know how many citations were issued on Thursday, July 30, but the public could see officers having conversations with possible offenders. The police chief said officers’ three choices include having people move along, citing people or citing and arresting people.

“The goal is that if people are going to be intoxicated, they should go home,” Cambridge said. “I rather not arrest them.”

Although some feedback has been negative, Cambridge said the overwhelming amount of comments have been on the positive side. Some offi-cers have even been given “thumbs up” gestures from residents.

When arrests do occur, one challenge might be a potential lack of space in the tribal jail. ”It’s a problem, but the issue needs to be fixed,” Cambridge said of public intoxication.

Another problem that has been addressed in the community regards illegal dirt bikes and other offroad vehicles being ridden on city streets.

“There’s more coming,” Cambridge said of the police department’s priorities. “The ultimate goal is to make this place a better place for us all.”