Law Enforcement

Sheriff’s Department

The Valley County Sheriff’s office has joined other law enforcement agencies across the state in the Department of Transportation’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

According to a January 2015 study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research (Vol. 39, No. 1), there is a significant link between the number of alcohol related traffic stops in a given community and the rate of impaired driving out there on the road. In an effort to increase law enforcement visibility, extra patrols began Aug. 21 and will continue through Labor Day, Sept. 7. The MT DOT provides grants to city and county agencies to fund the extra patrols.

According to Sheriff Glen Meier, “The time leading up to Labor Day is a high risk period for impaired driving.” He adds, “Please be mindful of all the other people sharing the road with you. Drive sober and make sure your friends and family plan for a sober driver. Remember to buckle up.”

Glasgow Police Department

Arrests made in theft case: While the case remains under investigation, two people have been arrested and charged in connection with a theft of tools that occurred at a construction site. The theft was reported Aug. 26, and the arrests were made Aug. 28. Two individuals, Travis Bjornson, 36, and Christopher Hardcastle, 33, have been charged with felony theft, criminal trespass, felony possession of dangerous drugs, and misdemeanor possession of dangerous drugs.

One charge in pedestrian-vehicle accident: One charge has been filed so far in an accident that occurred in the early afternoon of Aug. 27 at the intersection of 4th Street and U.S. Highway 2. A vehicle, driven by Bruce Fredrickson, 60, of Kalispell, struck an eight-year-old boy on a bicycle. The child sustained no serious injuries, despite not wearing a helmet. Fredrickson has been charged with running a red light, though the investigation remains open.

MHP was called to assist local police as the accident occurred on a state highway.

In light of the incident, Chief Bruce Barstad reminds motorists to remain vigilant while driving: “With the nice weather and the school year, we’ll still be seeing lots of kids walking and riding bikes to and from school.”