The Columbia Falls jail is closing, but the police chief says they will continue to hold prisoners for their safety or if they are a threat to the public.

Columbia Falls Police dispatchers are also jailors and since Flathead County and the city are consolidating their 911 services, the Columbia Falls dispatchers will work at the new center when it opens in February.

The move means the jail will close without jailors. But, Police Chief Dave Perry says they are looking at having people on call or having additional people come in if they need to watch a prisoner.

"We will still have a jail when we have violent prisoners and times that we need it, the problem is when you have someone who really needs to sober up or long term prisoner, we're going to have to transport them to the county," Perry explained.

Last year a little over 400 prisoners were booked into the Columbia Falls jail. The jail houses up to 6 prisoners at one time.