In December, the Billings City Council looked at crime, punishment, and the jail. The focus on Tuesday was on mental health, family situations, and cultural considerations and the effect on crime.
Public safety has taken on renewed urgency in Billings after an unprecedented string of five homicides from Oct. 28 to Nov. 9 and several recent shootings, Mayor Bill Cole said.
Yellowstone County District Court Judge Jessica Fehr says systemic issues with mental health in the criminal justice system worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.