HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-22 Public Comment - K. Cardoso - Red light runningFrom:Kirk Cardoso
To:Agenda
Subject:Red light running.
Date:Tuesday, January 18, 2022 6:13:21 PM
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To whom it may concern,
My name is Kirk Cardoso. My family and I live in McAllister/Ennis area.
I primarily work in Bozeman throughout the week and we come in every other weekend tograb a meal and to go shopping.
This last weekend on Saturday 1/15/22 my family and I were on Oak at 19th making a left turn
onto 19th to head towards main st. Our light was green and we were in the intersection whennot one but 2 vehicles ran the red making a left hand turn nearly hitting us. Had they hit us it
would have been on my wife's side and one of my daughters.
I did not take this lightly. I contacted Bozeman Pd. I asked why is no one doing anythingabout the red light runners. I see this sort of thing happen all week, but on this day it really
struck a nerve. The officer was very polite and we had a great conversation. He understood itis a problem. He explained to me the issue is they have only 3 officers on street patrol for the
entire city. I told him that is absurd. That amounts to roughly 18,000 residents per officer onduty. He stated they are having staffing problems. I understand that as we see that problem
across all industries in this nation.
The city of Bozeman needs to take this seriously. This is a public safety hazard not to mentionproperty damage from vehicle wrecks.
I originally come from a state that has ignored laws and allowed criminals to run rampant. If
we ignore red light runners what else is going to be ignored? I can tell you with all certaintythis problem will only get worse if it continues to go unchecked and will lead to worse things
to come. I am now tempted to go after these people myself and call the police. I don't want tohave to do that but if my family wasn't in the vehicle that Saturday I might have done just
that.
I believe you have a great Police dept, but it is understaffed. The city needs to find ways tobring in more officers to handle these duties. I sure hope there isn't a defund the police
mentality in city leadership.
I have noticed a increasing transient and homeless problem in your city. That alone willrequire the need for more officers. I do not want to see any part of this state turn into
California. I can tell you that's not where you would want to live or raise your children. I knowfirst hand from 36 years of experience living there before coming to Montana to live the
lifestyle I was accustomed to growing up.
Please know that I am sincere in everything I'm telling you and I hope this does not fall on
deaf ears.
Thank you for your time,
Kirk Cardoso1 406 580 8748