After two open meetings with the public, Police Chief Roger Nasset says his department has gained a lot of insight about crime on the streets of Kalispell.

Nasset launched a Coffee with the Chief program in March to hear what folks have to say about public safety in their neighborhoods.

“It’s not about me going there to talk to them,” Nasset said. “It is them coming with their ideas.”

After citizens asked if there was any way for residents to find out about the crime on their neighborhoods, Nasset got geographic information specialists and crime data analysts together to produce an online crime map that is updated weekly.

Nasset’s officers have also been able to follow up on traffic problems and other crime concerns because of the meetings.

“We’ve had some really good conversations,” Nasset said.

The next Coffee with the Chief program will be May 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Sykes’ Diner. Nasset hinted that he intends to bring a high-tech gadget for show-and-tell but stopped short of revealing all the details.

“If they want to see, they have to come see,” Nasset said.

Nasset also plans to give tips about how to handle summertime crime spikes that include increased thefts from vehicles and greater numbers of transient and panhandling calls.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.