Law enforcement agencies across the Flathead Valley are preparing for a busy holiday weekend, with extra patrols on land and water. Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said the Fourth of July weekend is usually one of the busiest of the year, especially if the weather is good and it falls on a weekend, like it does this year.
“Our goal is to make sure everyone has a safe and successful Independence Day celebration,” Curry said. “We encourage people to celebrate responsibly and not to drink and drive or drink and boat.”
Curry said the number of calls to law enforcement usually doubles during the holiday. To handle the load, extra patrols will be on duty across the county. The same goes for the Kalispell Police Department, and Chief Roger Nasset said his officers would be keeping an eye on the roads for drunk or impaired drivers.
“We’ll be looking for all of the activities related to the Fourth of July, mostly drunk driving and illegal fireworks,” Nasset said. “It’s also much easier to have your sober friend drive you home than have your sober friend bail you out of jail.”
Officials with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are also encouraging people to be safe on the water over the weekend. FWP encouraged people to designate a skipper who won’t be drinking while on the boat; have approved lifejackets on board and readily accessible for every passenger and require children under 12 years old to wear lifejackets whenever the boat is in motion; and never exceed the boat’s safe carrying capacity. The agency also encouraged that all boat accidents be reported to authorities.
“There have been 31 boating fatalities in Montana in the past four years,” said Ron Jendro, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recreational boating safety administrator. “Boating accidents that result in more than $100 in damage must be reported to FWP. All accidents that result in the death or disappearance of someone, and injuries that require medical treatment, also must be reported.”