Moyie Springs concerned with lack of law enforcement

BONNERS FERRY — Moyie Springs officials shared their frustrations with the lack of law enforcement presence at the July 22 joint County and Cities meeting, 

Moyie Springs does not have a police department, due to a lack of tax dollars. The city has grown over the past few years, but it is still beyond the city’s budget to create a police department.  

“Roosevelt Street is no longer the highway,” said Mayor Geoff Hollenbeck. “However, people still try to see how fast they can drive in a 25 mph speed limit.”  

The road construction on U.S. 2 and Blume Hill Road has made Roosevelt a shortcut, where the speed limit is becoming a suggestion to drivers.  

Hollenbeck said he is concerned that there could be fatalities, as many front yards where children play are right off Roosevelt.

To help combat the problem, the council wants increased law enforcement patrols.  

In the past, the city has reached out to the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office for increased patrols and was informed that they would have to pay overtime rate for deputies, which is beyond the city's budget. 

Due to the large population of fixed income and elderly taxpayers in Moyie, Hollenbeck said there is no way the city could afford to pay overtime rates to BCSO.  

Councilmembers said if it were possible, hiring a retired police officer working 20 to 30 hours a week on a rotating schedule would better suit the city's needs. However, funding for the possibility is not available.  

Moyie Councilman Pat Stevens asked if Bonners Ferry Police officers who live in Moyie Springs would be allowed to patrol on their work commute to Bonners. Even if that meant they just took a longer route through Moyie Springs in their police car to show a police presence, council members said.  

Bonners Ferry Councilor Ron Smith, who is a retired Boundary County sheriff, said BFPD officers aren’t on duty until they hit the city limits, however that Moyie Springs is in the county and are entitled to service by BCSO.  

Steve Economou, Moyie Springs fire chief and former mayor, said that in past discussions with Sheriff Dave Kramer, Moyie wanted a deputy to spend more time in the general Moyie area. However, the discussion turned to how Moyie would have to enter an agreement with the county to pay the deputy overtime for working on their day off.  

Hollenbeck said having a BCSO deputy in the vicinity could cut the 30-minute response time to car crashes in Moyie Springs.  

Moyie has completed its waterline repair project and is again on its own water system. Councilmembers thanked Three Mile Water District profusely for allowing the city and its residents to hop on the other districts' water. Councilmembers agreed that if given the opportunity, Moyie Springs would help Three Mile in the future if they come across water issues.  

The sewer project continues; however, the excessive heat has affected the timeline of pouring the concrete slabs.  

During their time, the county commissioners addressed the importance of extending the life of the landfill. They noted the importance of recycling, which although is limited at present, could extend the life of the landfill.  

The county is expanding the trail system at Riverside Park which would then connect to the old north hill highway trail. An easement with Union Pacific Railroad will have to be complete before the trail work can begin.  

The city of Bonners Ferry addressed the city of impact area and notified the other municipalities that a new Idaho law requires counties and cities to review existing areas of impact and to re-establish those into conformity by Dec. 31, 2025.  

At this time, it is Bonner Ferry’s stance at annexations must be contiguous to the current boundaries.