by Travis Mateer
How do I know former cop, Bob Campbell, is trying REALLY hard to be a politician? It’s the two words he used several times during a recent public Zoom meeting to explain why police can’t do more to quell the consequences of urban camping, and those two words are SIDE RAILS!
Since Side-Rail Bob couldn’t get back to me when he was just Candidate Bob, I decided to head down to the COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE on Wednesday to give this newbie on City Council the Travis Public Comment Experience. Did he enjoy his TPCE? Probably as much as the seasoned incumbents did!
In the clip I point out that the exploding urban camp I reported on last week did NOT seem to concern law enforcement, since no law enforcement ever responded to the scene, just city Fire. I have called and left a message for John Petroff with city Fire, who spoke during the Zoom meeting, but so far haven’t heard anything back.
I’m glad I was able to watch this insightful hour of public engagement because, had I not, it’s doubtful I would have caught the fact that Todd Spence was released from jail on January 2nd. I only thought to check the jail roster because city Fire said they had recently responded to “warming fires” beneath the Reserve Street bridge. Could that be you, Spence?
I used this jail-discharge opportunity to swing by Riverside Pawn and chat with a delightful cynic who deals with the same thing I deal with, which is something I like to call REALITY, like the fact that despite fencing and private security, there are still instances of people using this area.
For example, the site pictured below is the result of someone new arriving town, which I found out later from security. I’m glad I didn’t get too close to this camp site because I was also told that this homeless guy had ammunition stored at his site, and he was VERY aggressive when told he couldn’t make his camp there.
While this area represents the success of private citizens taking matters into their own hands and getting shit done, the resources it takes to MAINTAIN this area are substantial, like the cost of paying private security to patrol this wild terrain. Also, there’s the matter of THREE DEAD BODIES that you’re probably hearing about for the FIRST TIME here, at Zoom Chron.
After speaking with multiple sources I am now reporting that one dead body was found on October 4th near the river, behind Riverside Pawn. Another body was supposedly found near the water treatment plant, and a third body was discovered hanging from a tree in the area by the Reserve Street bridge. That body was discovered in October as well.
Sometimes I come off as having no patience for bullshit, and this seeming media blackout on serious shit happening in our community is one big reason why. The bodies are literally piling up, Missoula, while you have retarded debates about urban camping.
There are still aspects of what I know that I’m keeping to myself, for now, but maybe after I put some distance between myself and this stupid fucking town I’ll share some more details.
Until then, adios, Missoula!