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September 2022 by Colin Mader
Traveling in the area and parking LEGALLY. Will make up fake parking citations as a money grab. Beware when traveling here
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July 2019 by Leiðulfr Link
This place can and will write tickets for "camping" in a vehicle here, legally parked in line with everyone else, even if you're awake, sitting in the front seat literally playing a video game with the heat on full blast at 6 in the morning. With the sun visor up, and without the officer having the courtesy to simply knock on the window to make sure he is right in believing you're asleep (when you're not), how is one supposed to notice a local, shady "law enforcer" sneakily place a citation under your windshield wiper? Picture yourself engrossed in Pokémon, looking down at your Nintendo Switch, heater whirling, sunshade blocking your sight in front. Without being alerted to the presence of the officer in the dark, how do you confront him to point out that you're clearly awake? No flashlight to take a peak in the window either? I have multiple save files from the time the ticket was written, but what good does that do me when I live 10 states away and going to court to fight the inaccurate claim the officer makes will likely cost more than the ticket itself? It's a scam. You're allegedly not allowed to even be shown proof by the way of their body cams until the officer provides it at the hearing, whenever that court date might be. And, if he just barely peaked in and only noticed my head was down (staring at my lit up video game screen, not seeing my thumbs moving the controls and the game being played, what's that gonna look like on his chest height body cam anyway? The judge would likely side with the officer, because why would I have a recording of myself playing the game when I'm legally parked, just trying to get the car warmed up? Camping, in the front seat of a Corolla at 0600?! Really? And, come to find out, the officer could have, not only knocked to see if I was awake, but knowing I'm from out of state, he could have simply informed me to move two blocks down the road where, if I had actually been trying to camp, it would have been fine. TWO BLOCKS, and this "good guy" couldn't even knock. What a nice place. It's a scam. Hotels, motels, RV parks, lodges EVERYWHERE, which cost a lot, all paying the city their dues, so of course they'd be writing tickets on top of that, to make sure people instead find accommodations with one of the tourist establishments, without having to provide proof that you're in the wrong, if you are, UNTIL the hearing, which will cost more. It's about the money money money, not protecting the people or justice. Oh, and, they only take cash and all of the ATMs in the area charge fees of $3+ to withdraw. Also, all of the campgrounds in the area were full by the time I showed up at midnight, too tired to drive on, which is why I opted to simply not get any sleep, playing Pokémon all night until I could get into the visitor center to find a campground the following morning. The officer knew darn well what he was doing, and he knows he can get away with it, especially against people from out of state who can't exactly drive or fly back just to fight a bogus claim made by the officer whenever the court house decides it wants to hold the hearing in which you'll probably lose anyways, because the judge and the officer are buddies. If you plan to visit, don't wing it. Be prepared to shell out the cash. The government takes a natural wonder, they charge people to see it, and then they set up systems around it to further pull from the wallets of people wanting to see what should be free to everyone. Disgusting.
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July 2019 by Leiðulfr Link
This place can and will write tickets for "camping" in a vehicle here, legally parked in line with everyone else, even if you're awake, sitting in the front seat literally playing a video game with the heat on full blast at 6 in the morning. With the sun visor up, and without the officer having the courtesy to simply knock on the window to make sure he is right in believing you're asleep (when you're not), how is one supposed to notice a local, shady "law enforcer" sneakily place a citation under your windshield wiper? Picture yourself engrossed in Pokémon, looking down at your Nintendo Switch, heater whirling, sunshade blocking your sight in front. Without being alerted to the presence of the officer in the dark, how do you confront him to point out that you're clearly awake? No flashlight to take a peak in the window either? I have multiple save files from the time the ticket was written, but what good does that do me when I live 10 states away and going to court to fight the inaccurate claim the officer makes will likely cost more than the ticket itself? It's a scam. You're allegedly not allowed to even be shown proof by the way of their body cams until the officer provides it at the hearing, whenever that court date might be. And, if he just barely peaked in and only noticed my head was down (staring at my lit up video game screen, not seeing my thumbs moving the controls and the game being played, what's that gonna look like on his chest height body cam anyway? The judge would likely side with the officer, because why would I have a recording of myself playing the game when I'm legally parked, just trying to get the car warmed up? Camping, in the front seat of a Corolla at 0600?! Really? And, come to find out, the officer could have, not only knocked to see if I was awake, but knowing I'm from out of state, he could have simply informed me to move two blocks down the road where, if I had actually been trying to camp, it would have been fine. TWO BLOCKS, and this "good guy" couldn't even knock. What a nice place. It's a scam. Hotels, motels, RV parks, lodges EVERYWHERE, which cost a lot, all paying the city their dues, so of course they'd be writing tickets on top of that, to make sure people instead find accommodations with one of the tourist establishments, without having to provide proof that you're in the wrong, if you are, UNTIL the hearing, which will cost more. It's about the money money money, not protecting the people or justice. Oh, and, they only take cash and all of the ATMs in the area charge fees of $3+ to withdraw. Also, all of the campgrounds in the area were full by the time I showed up at midnight, too tired to drive on, which is why I opted to simply not get any sleep, playing Pokémon all night until I could get into the visitor center to find a campground the following morning. The officer knew darn well what he was doing, and he knows he can get away with it, especially against people from out of state who can't exactly drive or fly back just to fight a bogus claim made by the officer whenever the court house decides it wants to hold the hearing in which you'll probably lose anyways, because the judge and the officer are buddies. If you plan to visit, don't wing it. Be prepared to shell out the cash. The government takes a natural wonder, they charge people to see it, and then they set up systems around it to further pull from the wallets of people wanting to see what should be free to everyone. Disgusting.
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January 2019 by Jana Ashley Schindel
Thank you to the Policeman who responded to our slide off today during the storm. We greatly appreciate your help, advice and caring demeanor. You handled an extremely dangerous situation with professionalism. David and Jana Schindel
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September 2018 by Barbara Odegard
Thank you west yellowstone pd.
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May 2018 by Lexi Benson
Yesterday my finances and I went to West Yellowstone PD to see if we could get a patch. We are both officers from Utah. The dispatcher, Kaitlyn, told us they were changing patches and were all out, but had an officer offer to bring one in the next day from home. Today we went in and spoke with another dispatcher who was unable to find the patch. Officer Vanluween stopped by the PD to say hi and told us a place to grab coffee and breakfast. At the coffee shop we ended up meeting a guy named Chris whose parents were both officers and he use to be a firefighter. While we were talking to him Kaitlyn pulled up. She heard we were going to the coffee shop and dropped by a patch. We are amazed by this police department ! Thanks to our family in blue! We got engaged in Yellowstone this weekend so this means a lot to us!
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April 2018 by Cliff M
Beware! There is a speed trap heading south on highway 20. I was going slower than the flow of traffic and missed seeing a speed limit sign. Here comes a police officer with lights on, full commando style (bullet proof vests, hands on guns two trucks, officer on both sides of van). I was lucky I did not get shot! The kids are traumatized and feel like they can not trust the police. Avoid the West Yellowstone if possible! They have dramatically increased tickets and fines the last few years (they were 3x higher than projected in 2016, not reported for 17 yet)!
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February 2018 by Weston Lutz
I called from 2 States away and they were very respectful and helpful. They responded to me very quickly and were very thorough.
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June 2017 by Julie Daines
We had a problem with underage drinking and noise disturbance out on Hebgen Lake and the police were extremely helpful and responsive.
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August 2015 by David Neick
elected officials breaking laws at elected officials home mayor sheriff county commissioners son city supervisor breaking laws at my home. break cease and desist at mayors home next year. systemic corruption police informant impersonated dea agent. he sold meth and weed. witness to mayors son poaching animals 100 cars illegal in town of 800 year round residents in 2012 mayor health and human services fire fighters ex mayor county c ommissioners family superintendents daughter city workers fed employees county employees chamber of commerce 33 from local government alone I know of
