A crowd gathered in Kalispell City Hall on Monday to watch as city councilors got updated on efforts to address reckless Friday night driving in the downtown neighborhood.

Friday night cruising on Main Street is seen by many as an opportunity for teens and adults across the Flathead Valley to show off their passion for automobiles. But the regular gatherings have prompted complaints. Nearby residents said during public comment that noise from unmuffled engines and revving cars has made it difficult to sleep and enjoy downtown Kalispell on weekends. 

The Police Department has beefed up its presence in the neighborhood on Friday nights over the summer to patrol for unlawful activity like speeding, running red lights and failing to stop at a stop sign.  

“We focus on dangerous driving behavior,” Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio said on Monday. “Our officers are not there to stop cruising in general. People have every right to drive up and down the roads lawfully,”  

At least four officers have been patrolling downtown on Friday nights. One is assigned to the area, while the others work overtime funded by a grant, Venezio said. The increased patrols have not reduced service to other parts of the community, he added.  

Since May, Kalispell Police have made roughly 180 traffic stops, issued around 80 traffic citations, made several arrests for reckless driving and towed multiple vehicles on Friday nights, according to Venezio. There is also typically a DUI arrest on any given night.  

Despite the ruckus, there has not been an increase in reported accidents downtown on Friday nights, Venezio said.  

He told councilors that supporting efforts to enforce existing laws will prove the most effective way to deter dangerous drivers.  

“We have laws on the books that will keep the roads safe,” he said. 

WHEN SOMEONE is cited for reckless driving, they are required to appear in municipal court and enter a plea in front of a judge, according to City Attorney Johnna Preble. 

A first reckless driving offense carries a $355 bail, a fine of up to $500, and a possible jail sentence of up to 90 days. A second offense comes with $555 bail, a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail, including a mandatory minimum of five days.  

Kalispell City Court Judge Alison Howard often gives teenagers alternative sentencing options, including taking a defensive driving course at the courthouse in return for a deferred sentence, according to Chief Deputy City Attorney Andrew Clegg.  

The free course is relatively new, with only one session completed so far. It is offered four times a year. The first session had eight participants, and about 12 people are enrolled in the next class, according to Clegg.  

Clegg and Preble said that they have seen few repeat offenders, a sign that the system is deterring dangerous driving.   

“Coming into court is not fun,” Preble said. “It’s especially not fun if you’re young and you need to bring your parent with you. Your insurance premium going up is not fun.” 

Preble emphasized that it may take time to see the effects of increased law enforcement, as it can be months before those cited for traffic violations are sentenced.  

“The wheels of justice turn very slowly,” Preble said. “These consequences, they’re there. I think they are working. I think we haven’t had enough time to see them all the way through yet.” 

Revving an engine typically results in about a $50 ticket and can carry a penalty of up to six months in jail. Rolling coal, which may be charged as disorderly conduct, carries a $205 ticket and a suspended 10-day jail sentence, according to Clegg.  

COUNCILORS EMPHASIZED the importance of community policing. 

“The bigger deterrent really is, ‘Hey there’s my pastor’ or, ‘There’s my dad’s best friend walking on the street, and he’s going to see me if I’m acting up,’” Councilor Sid Daoud said. “Those consequences for impressionable young people are much greater than the actual threat of being pulled over or arrested.” 

During public comment, Trevin Hermosillo said he would use his large social media following to promote respectful cruising. Hermosillo is the founder of Gearshift Garage, a popular YouTube channel.  

Councilor Sam Nunnally urged people to report possible unlawful activity to law enforcement.  

 “You see something, say something,” he said.    

The Police Department has only received six formal complaints about dangerous driving on Friday nights in the past two months. Venezio noted that the public can report suspected traffic violations either to dispatch or through the online reporting system. However, the reporting party must be prepared to testify in court about the offense that they witnessed.  

Mayor Ryan Hunter asked the Police Department to consider citing people with loud cars, because noise from unmuffled engines is a prevalent issue for residents living near Main Street.  

Venezio said the department has not enforced that city code because it can be difficult to pinpoint the source of the noise from a loud vehicle on a busy road, He added that the constant traffic noise along U.S. 93 makes enforcement especially challenging.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.