Polson gets funding for SWAT gear
MATT BALDWIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 3 months AGO
Hagadone Media Montana REGIONAL MANAGING EDITOR Matt Baldwin is the regional editor for Hagadone Media Montana, where he helps guide coverage across eight newspapers throughout Northwest Montana. Under his leadership, the Daily Inter Lake received the Montana Newspaper Association’s Sam Gilluly Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. A graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism, Baldwin has called Montana home for nearly 30 years. He and his wife, Sadie, have three daughters. He can be reached at 406‑758‑4447 or [email protected]. IMPACT: Baldwin’s work helps ensure Northwest Montana residents stay connected to their communities and informed about the issues that shape their everyday lives. | May 22, 2020 8:25 AM
Polson Police Department has been awarded a $72,000 federal grant to purchase quick-response protective equipment.
Police Chief Wade Nash said the funding is being made available through Homeland Security and FEMA. He said Lake County has typically relied on outside law enforcement agencies to deal with SWAT team situations.
“If we had a standoff or barricaded subject here in town, Lake County doesn’t have a SWAT team or special response team,” Nash told the City Commission at its May 18 meeting. “So we rely heavily on Flathead County, Kalispell Police Department or Missoula Police Department if we have a major deal going on in our county.”
“Now, if we have a major incident, we can contain that situation until we can get a more specialized team down here,” he added. “That’s a huge deal.”
The funding will be accessible in October.
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