Missoula, MT
Municipality in Montana
United States
Missoula, MT is planning to implement "Bear Smart" waste policies to reduce human-bear conflicts
The city of Missoula's Committee of the Whole launched plans to designate Missoula as a "Bear Smart" city by working with the Bear Smart Community Program to reduce human-bear conflicts. The Bear Smart working group conducted a Bear Hazard Assessment which revealed the city's unsecured garbage is the highest priority issue facing the city's bear population. The city is considering solutions such as requiring bear-resistant containers, mandating waste pickup, etc.
Missoula, MT
United States
Missoula, MT uses virtual reality to provide police officers with crisis intervention training
The Missoula City Council approved the police department's request for 65 virtual reality headsets and training suits. The Missoula Police Department is purchasing the VR headsets and training suits from Axon Enterprises. The training scenarios included in the virtual reality program include de-escalation and crisis intervention.
Missoula, MT
United States
Missoula, MT mobile crisis response initiative sends mental health professionals not police officers
The City of Missoula launched a mobile crisis response initiative which sends specialized units of mental health professionals instead of police officers on emergency mental health calls. The pilot is looking to address gaps in the process such as having a place to take a patient who needs a stable place to recuperate. Additionally, the mobile crisis response crew's shift ends at 8 p.m. which means there are no alternatives to police officers in the evenings.
Missoula, MT
United States
Missoula, MT plans to convert two heavily used downtown streets from one-way to two-way traffic
The City of Missoula is planning to convert two heavily used downtown streets from one-way to two-way traffic. The city has identified the project as a top priority after a feasibility study found that improvements to the the streets would greatly enhance safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. The construction project is estimated to cost upwards of $15 million but the city is prepping the project so it will be "shovel ready" when funding becomes available.
Missoula, MT
United States
Missoula, MT allows drivers to pay for parking and extend parking time via the Passport Parking app
Drivers in Missoula can pay for parking from their phone and extend parking time via the Passport Parking app. The app, which charges a small fee, allows people to avoid waiting in lines at kiosks and eliminates the need to rush out to manually add time to expiring meters.
Missoula, MT
United States