Montrose Police Chief Blaine Hall outlined public safety challenges from 2025 — including unauthorized camping and juvenile gun violence — while emphasizing the importance of trust and community partnerships during a presentation for the State of the City at the Montrose Pavilion last week.
Speaking to a crowd gathered for a community event, Hall said the department responded to 617 incidents related to unauthorized camping in 2025, either through proactive patrols or service calls.
Of those incidents, officers identified 38 illegal camps. Police contacted 128 individuals, issued 75 warnings and wrote 53 citations.
“I think it’s important to note that we weren’t being heavy-handed,” Hall said. “In fact, we were oftentimes giving multiple warnings before we ended up citing an individual for unauthorized camping.”
Hall said 22 individuals accounted for all 53 citations issued. Of those cases, 18 resulted in convictions. Fifteen convictions led to $100 civil fines, two resulted in second-level convictions — which carry potential jail time — and one third-level conviction resulted in a 30-day jail sentence.
“That means an offender who was violating the law multiple times and ended up serving 30 days in jail — not just for unauthorized camping but for several other situations that he created,” Hall said.
He also noted that there were 232 failures to appear in court connected to the citations.
Of the 53 citations, 24 involved just four individuals. Hall said some of those same individuals were also involved in more serious crimes, including arson and assault.
“It’s good information to share, because in our unhoused community, we have folks out there that definitely need our help,” Hall said. “But we also have a group of individuals that are giving a bad name for a lot of different folks and we’re constantly dealing with those individuals.”
Hall said the department has asked the district attorney’s office to give special attention to repeat offenders in 2026.
Juvenile gun violence focus
Hall also addressed juvenile gun violence, calling it a significant concern.
In 2025, Montrose saw five incidents involving juvenile gun violence. Three juveniles were charged with shootings, and four others were charged as accessories. Hall said some victims were seriously injured.
“It’s something that has been on my mind in 2025 quite a lot,” Hall said.
He said the department will make gun violence a major focus in 2026 and has asked the district attorney’s office to partner closely on prosecutions.
Hall also praised the Montrose Youth City Council, which recently issued a proclamation stating, “Whereas, gun violence is a threat to public safety, and public health, that impacts communities across our nation.”
“I think it’s important to note, it’s not just on the minds of all of our adults, it’s on the minds of our kids too,” Hall said.
Legitimacy and trust
Hall spent part of his remarks discussing police legitimacy, calling it “trust.”
“Police legitimacy — and it’s never been more important, I think, than right now in our nation — it’s trust,” Hall said. “It’s trust on whether you all, our community, think that we’re going to do the right thing when we show up.”
Hall said officers are entrusted with serving “everyone in our community equally, fairly, equitably and to uphold their constitutional rights.”
Without public trust, he said, effective policing becomes impossible.
“I fear the day when a victim doesn’t trust that they’re going to be treated fairly and equitably and with respect and doesn’t call us,” Hall said. “That’s going to be a really bad day.”
Staffing and 2026 initiatives
Hall said the department is three officers away from being fully staffed. One detective recently left after being appointed by the governor as the new county court judge, Ryan Hess.
Two recruits are scheduled to attend the police academy this summer, and the department is seeking one additional hire.
Hall said specialty positions promised during the city’s 2A initiative — including community task force officers and traffic unit officers — are expected to be implemented in 2026.
The department also plans to expand community engagement efforts, including a new “Safer Together” program aimed at educating neighborhoods, businesses and houses of worship about safety measures and active threat response.
The Citizens Police Academy will be held April 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering residents an inside look at patrol operations, tactical units and victim services, along with simulator training.
Hall also highlighted progress on a regional domestic violence task force. In partnership with CASA, the group is fundraising for the San Juan Landing project, which will provide nine long-term housing units for victims of domestic violence.
“When you’re a victim of domestic violence, short-term housing isn’t enough,” Hall said. “Two weeks being away from the offender is not enough.
A fundraising gala for the project is scheduled for Oct. 17 at the Montrose Pavilion.
Hall concluded by thanking the community for its support and reiterating the department’s commitment to public safety and partnership in 2026.
Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.
