Grant helps keep town safe during Pioneer Days
Megan Strickland
Ronan Police Chief Ken Weaver waves from an antique police car in the Pioneer Days parade.
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RONAN — Only minor public intoxication incidents and an ATV theft occurred during Pioneer Days weekend, and Ronan authorities say grant monies providing for extra law enforcement coverage probably played a key role in the quiet weekend.
A $5,000 safety grant from the Montana Department of Transportation provided for two additional officers to be on duty each day of the event, according to Police Chief Ken Weaver.
“I thought it went very smoothly,” Weaver said of crime during the weekend.
There were a couple of public intoxication calls and one call for a stolen ATV that was recovered two hours later, Weaver said.
Folks took notice of the extra coverage.
“He did a great job and so did all the officers through Pioneer Days,” Police Commission Chair Mark Nelson told the Ronan City Council. “They had a great presence. Just the visibility of having one guy walking around really helped.”
City Councilmember Chris Adler agreed.
“It was good to see you there,” Adler said. “Just to have you there helps keep folks on the straight and narrow while they are whooping and hollering and having fun.”
Councilmember Cal Hardy said twice the officers visited his wife’s class reunion that was held during Pioneer Days weekend. The police chief came down and introduced himself and an officer checked in later to make sure everything was OK.
“They were impressed,” Hardy said.
