Executive Summary
- Missoula Police issued a shelter-in-place order at 7:36 p.m. Tuesday.
- The order affects a two-block radius near Ryman Street and West Broadway Street.
- West Main Street is closed to traffic from Higgins Avenue to Ryman Street.
- Public urged not to call 911 for information regarding the alert.
MISSOULA, Mont. – The Missoula Police Department (MPD) issued a shelter-in-place order Tuesday evening following an ongoing incident in the downtown area.
According to an alert distributed via the Missoula Emergency Alert Notification System at approximately 7:36 p.m., authorities instructed residents within a two-block radius of Ryman Street and West Broadway Street to remain indoors. The specific nature of the incident was not immediately disclosed in the initial alert.
In conjunction with the safety order, MPD officials announced significant traffic disruptions in the vicinity. Police have closed West Main Street to all traffic between Higgins Avenue and Ryman Street to secure the perimeter. Law enforcement authorities explicitly requested that members of the public refrain from calling 911 to inquire about the alert, ensuring that emergency lines remain open for critical assistance.
Operational Impact
The issuance of a shelter-in-place order in a dense downtown corridor typically indicates an active and fluid police operation where civilian presence could pose a safety risk or impede law enforcement efforts. By establishing a perimeter and restricting traffic on key thoroughfares like West Main Street, the MPD is prioritizing the containment of the scene. Residents in the affected zone are advised to monitor official channels for updates on when the order is lifted.
