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Residents press Dickinson commissioners on enforcement, police conduct and records during public comment
Summary
Multiple residents used the June 3 public-comment period to raise concerns about smoking enforcement at a commercial property, alleged retaliation and misconduct by city officials and police, and problems obtaining public records.
Several residents addressed the Dickinson City Commission during the June 3 public-comment period, raising complaints about local code enforcement, policing and access to records.
Debbie Bifford told the commission she recently moved from 210 Third Street West and said she has video showing tenants smoking near the building despite a no-smoking rental agreement. She asked whether the city can enforce what she described as a state law requiring smoking be at least 20 feet from a commercial building. City staff advised her to provide documentation to the Dickinson Police Department and building and codes; staff said they would likely forward the complaint to Southwest District Health and building and codes for investigation. Deputy Chief Hansen was asked to take her contact information before she left.
Several other speakers voiced broader allegations about municipal operations and law enforcement. Bobby Jo Helgeson (signed as Helgason in parts of the record) accused city officials and staff of retaliation and failures in municipal courts, saying she had submitted multiple records and whistleblower documents to commissioners and alleging a lack of due process in municipal court.
Tarika Holmes (signed as Terrika Holmes in the transcript) delivered an extended account alleging mistreatment by the child-protection and criminal-justice systems, descriptions of police use of force and prosecutions she described as retaliatory. Holmes said, “I will never fear doing what is right,” and said she is pursuing accountability for alleged harms to her family.
Charles Tuttle criticized city legal practices, questioned whether certain public servants had required oaths of office, and urged the commission to seek reimbursement from statewide associations that he said improperly lobbied against an initiated measure. Ryan Masano raised allegations about police conduct, cited a 2024 incident in which an officer was charged with a DUI (reduced to reckless driving), and asked why the department retained officers who, he said, had not met fitness standards. Masano also raised concerns about local media coverage and open records access.
Commissioners did not take formal action on the complaints during the meeting. Staff responses noted appropriate next steps for specific complaints: provide evidence to the Dickinson Police Department and Building & Codes for review, and the city indicated it could notify Southwest District Health about smoking enforcement questions. The city attorney explained the demolition and appeal process earlier in the meeting but did not adjudicate the complaints raised in public comment.
Ending Commissioners listened to public comment and acknowledged receipt of complaints and documents. Several citizens requested follow-up; staff asked for contact information and said the matters would be routed to appropriate departments for review rather than resolved immediately on the dais.
