Since migrating back into the media business and working early mornings once again, I've noticed an alarming number of folks walking around Great Falls early in the mornings.

Let me preface this article by saying this is far from the first time I've had to go to work at what some might refer to as the middle of the night.

While on television, I generally would get to the studio at 1 am. Now that time is more like 4 am.

It's Not Just Me

And it turns out it's not just me that's noticed this influx of people wandering about the city early in the morning.

Bob, with whom I host the KMON morning show, has also seen an uptick in pedestrian foot traffic.

Bob's been working early mornings for 30-plus years as a baker and, more recently, as a radio host.

Not All Bad

Not all of the foot traffic I've witnessed looks suspicious.

Some are folks clearly walking to a job, while others, God only knows what they're doing out and about at that hour.

It seems odd to me that many people are this active at that hour of the morning.

Don't get me wrong; we're not talking crazy numbers here; I'd say I see around 2 to 3 people each morning on average.

And no, I'm not counting the people driving; these are strictly people walking around.

I'd be curious if any other early risers have noticed this uptick in foot traffic.

Outside of the folks who are clearly going to work, why are these people out and about at this hour?

Is it drugs, or is it crime-related?

I'd love to know your thoughts.

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