The Public Safety & Community Resource Series is a monthly educational forum presented by Downtown Billings and The Billings Public Library designed to increase transparency, understanding, and collaboration around public safety and community-based resources in Yellowstone County. Hosted at the Billings Public Library, the series brings together city and county partners, service providers, and the community to share how systems work, how they connect, and how they collectively contribute to a safer, healthier community. Each session focuses on a specific topic and highlights real-world coordination between public safety, outreach, and resource systems, creating a space for informed dialogue, relationship-building, and community education.
These meetings are free to attend and all are welcome. Most meetings will take place on the third Thursday of the month at the Public Library’s Community Room from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
The first session in the series focuses on Downtown Public Safety and Resource Coordination, featuring the Community Resource Director, Downtown Resource Officers, the Outreach Team, SK Security, and the Deputy City Attorney. Together, the panel will provide an overview of how safety, engagement, and accountability are addressed downtown through coordinated efforts. The discussion will cover community policing, outreach and peer support, private security’s role in filling coverage gaps, and how the Motivated Addiction Alternative Program (MAAP) offers a pathway to diversion, treatment, and services instead of repeated justice involvement. This session is intended to help the public, business owners, and local leaders better understand how these roles work together day-to-day to respond to concerns, connect individuals to resources, and support a safe and welcoming downtown for everyone.
The first meeting will take place Thursday, March 19, 2025, 3:00 – 4:00 pm.
The following sessions include:
- April 23, 2026: Shelter Systems and Access in Yellowstone County
- May 21, 2026: Behavioral health and crisis response
- June 18, 2026: Youth-focused prevention, crisis response, and pathways to stability
For more details on this meeting and upcoming conversations in the series please email Kody Christensen, Community Resource Director, at kody@downtownbillings.com or call (406) 294-5060.