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Neighbors call on Kalispell to act after years of late‑night vehicle disturbances at First Avenue West parking lot
Summary
A Kalispell resident said repeated late‑night vehicle disturbances, alleged drug activity and trash at a city‑owned parking lot on First Avenue West are creating a public‑safety and quality‑of‑life problem for nearby households and urged the council to change signage and install lockable posts.
A Kalispell resident told the City Council on April 7 that hundreds of households near the city‑owned parking lot at the end of the 1700 block of First Avenue West are enduring recurring late‑night vehicle disturbances, alleged drug activity and trash, and asked the city to act.
“My name is Dale Boles,” the resident said during the public‑comment portion of the meeting. He described repeated burnouts, racing engines and bright aftermarket headlights waking families after 11 p.m. and said police patrols are limited because officers must witness offenses to arrest or cite drivers. “The police work hard. They’ve even increased patrols out there,” Boles said. “But their hands really are tied. They have to catch the perpetrators in the act.”
Boles outlined low‑cost options he said would reduce the problem: change posted lot curfew signs from 11 p.m. to 9 p.m., install lockable chain posts at each of the lot’s two entrances, and redirect occasional event parking to a nearby 20‑space lot on the southeast corner of Sixteenth Street. He said Susie Turner, identified in his remarks as Public Works Director, told him sign changes would be straightforward and that she “can get it done.” Boles said he would even pay for the materials for posts and chains if needed.
The matter drew brief follow‑up from council members during the meeting. Councilor Hunter asked that staff bring clarifications and flagged unsure street names in related planning documents; Councilor Dowd requested a work session to examine options and legal authority before the council adopts any program. City Manager Russell told council staff would assemble call volumes and municipal‑code references and return to council with options and a proposed work‑session schedule. “Ultimately, what we'd be looking for is direction from the council,” Russell said.
The council did not vote on any formal action on April 7. Council members asked staff to prepare information for a dedicated discussion, including police call data, whether the lot is city property (the speaker said it is), applicable trespass or curfew enforcement options, and alternatives for securing the lot except during school events.
Boles told council that the lot is used primarily for Flathead and Glacier school events for roughly 10 weeks per season, and that it sits largely unused the remainder of the year. He said neighbors endure trash and human waste left in the lot after gatherings and described groups that he called “gang type” behavior. He urged the council to act quickly so residents do not continue to experience the disruption.
Staff said a work session will be scheduled to provide the council with potential code changes, enforcement options, and logistical steps for physical access control so the council can decide next steps.
