Out here, safety isn't an elective government program or a luxury service. It's a non-negotiable obligation. The primary purpose of government is to protect your constitutional rights, and freedom from being harmed by criminals is a basic, foundational function of the state.
But keeping our communities safe requires seamless cooperation among all levels of law enforcement. Unfortunately, we too often see bureaucratic roadblocks and political friction get in the way of basic communication.
Look at the current dispute playing out in the Montana Supreme Court between the local County Attorney's office and the state Attorney General over how and when information is shared with federal law enforcement partners. Regardless of how the legal technicalities shake out in court, this situation highlights a frustrating reality: when agencies get bogged down in jurisdictional standoffs, communication breaks down.
Our first responders and law enforcement officers shouldn't have to navigate political friction or a maze of red tape just to do their jobs.
I don't just talk about supporting public safety because it's an election year. I've spent my career building the actual tools our first responders use to communicate, coordinate and save lives. Decades ago, I founded Maptronix, a startup that created the very first real-time mapping systems for 911 call centers. That technology allowed dispatchers to track emergencies instantly across jurisdictions. When Maptronix was acquired by Tiburon, a leading developer of dispatch systems for law enforcement, fire, and EMS, I rose to head their product development group.
I know firsthand what it's like to equip the frontline, eliminate technical and bureaucratic silos, and ensure different agencies can work together seamlessly to protect the public.
We need a representative in Helena who understands that public safety requires practical systems, strong support for the men and women who wear the badge, and an absolute commitment to keeping our communities secure without the political noise.
Demanding seamless cooperation across law enforcement and bringing practical leadership to public safety?
That's Montana common sense.
These value posts were originally shared on Facebook. You can follow the entire series at facebook.com/leman4mt.