Ask the Sheriff
SEELEY LAKE – Speed limits have changed on Highway 83 and the school zone is official by the Seeley-Swan High School. Law enforcement has been stopping people for speeding. Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mike Sunderland also offers safety messages for the hunting season and Halloween.
The Montana Department of Transportation Commission approved new speed limits for Highway 83 through Seeley Lake. These include: south of Cory’s Valley Market to Riverview Drive, 40 mph; Riverview Drive to the Deer Country Quilts, 35 mph; Deer Country Quilts to Motor Lodge Inn, 25 mph; Motor Lodge Inn to the Community Hall, 35 mph; Community Hall to Hemlock Drive, 45 mph. The signs were changed Monday morning, Oct. 17.
“People need to open their eyes and look at those signs as they are coming through town,” said Sunderland. “In two days I literally gave 50-60 warnings and I couldn’t stop everyone.”
Sunderland said some of the people should have gotten a ticket because even under the old speed limits they were driving too fast.
Sunderland would like to see a couple of 25 mile per hour (mph) signs added near the Post Office. The 25 mph signs are posted at Locust Lane and Cedar Drive, leaving a large gap with no signs through the middle of town. Montana Department of Transportation agreed.
Sunderland said the process of getting people to slow down is bigger than what the local law enforcement can handle. They hope to bring in additional officers in the next couple of weeks to help with enforcement.
“All we ask is drivers slow down. Pay attention to the road,” said Sunderland. “Over time when we spend 15, 20, 30 years driving you get numb to the signs because you think you know where you are at. But things do change.”
Hunting Safety
Sunderland reminds people who are out hunting that it is never a good idea to mix alcohol and guns. Drinking and road hunting is also a major problem.
Sunderland said this time of year the call volume increases for Search and Rescue because hunters get turned around and lost.
He recommends being prepared by having the proper clothing, have the ability to start a fire, carry a compass, map or GPS to be able to provide a location and coordinates and always tell someone where you are going.
It is the law for hunters to wear orange. Sunderland strongly recommends recreationist and their pets should also wear orange because bullets can travel a long way.
Halloween Safety
Safety is the biggest thing on Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31. Sunderland said that costumes are typically dark so those out walking should have a flashlight or glow stick or have reflective material on the costume.
Sunderland reminds everyone to check their candy.
“We haven’t ever had contaminated candy but you never know what people are thinking,” said Sunderland. “If anything looks suspicious just discard it.”
Sunderland encourages anyone with questions or concerns to email or call the Pathfinder, pathfinder@seeleylake.com or 677-2022, and they will be addressed in future columns.
Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Activity 10/18/16 – 10/24/16
10/18, 4:12 p.m., Boy Scout Road, Seeley Lake: Littering.
10/18, 4:56 p.m., N Placid Lake Road, Seeley Lake: Accident, No Injury.
10/20, 4:35 p.m., 31XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Suspicious Activity.
10/21, 2:41 p.m., Sawyer Creek Road, Seeley Lake: Accident, No injury.
10/22, 3:26 a.m., 6XX Spruce Drive, Seeley Lake: Burglary.
10/23, 7:58 p.m., Clearwater Junction, Greenough: Fuel Run Off.
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