STEVENSVILLE AUTO DEALER DONATES CAR TO POLICE AFTER MEDICAL MARIJUANA
RAID

STEVENSVILLE - The Stevensville Police Department has a new set of
wheels, thanks to a local businessman.

On Thursday, police chief James Marble was in Hamilton getting
temporary tags for the newest addition to his fleet, a 2005 Ford Crown
Victoria. But this is no luxury automobile; it was a police
interceptor that used to belong to the Missoula Police Department.

It was a gift to the department but not from fellow brothers-in-blue.
It came from Mike Halvorson, who owns M&M Auto and Trailer in
Stevensville, and not a moment too soon, said Marble.

"We've been needing a vehicle for a long time," Marble said. "Now
we'll have this one in service in time for the Creamery Picnic."

The police department has two cars: a 2009 Dodge Charger and a 2003
Ford Taurus.

"The Taurus was not designed to be a police vehicle, so it has
problems," Marble said. "It doesn't have the electrical system to
support all the lights and radios. We'll still use it but probably for
more administrative functions."

The car donation was a result of the police bust at the Banana Belt
Caregivers facility, Halvorson said.

"They cut my shin in two so I'm aware of the need for pain
management," Halvorson said. "But I'm opposed to kids selling to kids,
and all I saw going in there was kids; I didn't see any wheelchairs or
any crutches."

After the bust, Halvorson went to congratulate Marble and they started
talking about cars. When Marble learned that Halvorson had the Crown
Victoria that he'd bought at a Missoula Police Department public
auction, he tried to figure out how the department might buy it.

Halvorson said he bought it for a friend because it was in great shape
with only 72,000 miles on it, but then the friend passed away on June
23.

"So I said it would be my honor to donate it to the police
department," Halvorson said. "I try to do good things, and I donate to
people who need a hand up."

In addition to the car, Halvorson donated a raft trailer to the
volunteer fire department for a year while it figures out what it
needs for rescue operations.

Halvorson went before the Stevensville City Council on Monday night to
formally propose the donations so the city could take over the property.

"It's a great gift," Marble said.