Category Archives: Law

Firefighters Lauded For Response During Officer-Involved Shooting Incident; New CHP Commander Introduces Himself

Thumbnail photo: Crescent City firefighters Beau Smith, Dave Bowdish and Eugene Starkey received commendations from Fire Chief Kevin Carey for distinguished service after facing a dangerous subject armed with a “knife-type weapon.” | Screenshot

Crescent City Fire Chief Kevin Carey applauded three of his firefighters, not only for facing a dangerous subject armed with a “knife-type weapon,” but for providing aid to that person when law enforcement shot him.

Carey awarded distinguished service commendations to Capt. Beau Smith, Engineer Dave Bowdish and Firefighter Eugene Starkey, who had responded to a call for an individual covered in blood on the beach near Anchor Way on June 27. 

The chief praised their decision to call on law enforcement for help when the patient approached firefighters, saying it showed great courage and situational awareness.

Continue reading Firefighters Lauded For Response During Officer-Involved Shooting Incident; New CHP Commander Introduces Himself

Grand Jury Notes Improvement At Jail, Though Facility Is Still In Disrepair

Thumbnail photo by Amanda Dockter

The Civil Grand Jury painted a rosier picture of the Del Norte County Jail this year, commending the sheriff’s office on steps taken to address the issues last year’s investigation uncovered.

However, after touring the facility in January, five Grand Jurors still had concerns ranging from stained and filthy walls and floors to an inmate property room that was so malodorous some members didn’t want to enter.

Much like last year, Del Norte County Sheriff Garrett Scott acknowledged the truth in the Grand Jury’s report, though he said addressing many of those concerns is outside of his control. As for the unsanitary property room, Scott said the Measure R Oversight Committee has already approved an emergency purchase of a vacuum sealer his staff can use to better store inmates’ belongings.

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Law Enforcement, Fire Officials Say No Tolerance Campaign Paid Off This July Fourth

Thumbnail photo by Heather Polen

The Moala family was next to the firework explosion that sent 14 people to the hospital last year. According to them, it was their video that local news outlets used.

On Friday, they were back at South Beach, and after more than a decade traveling from Medford to Crescent City to celebrate Independence Day, not much has changed, they said. Except for the police presence.

“I am disappointed there are not any illegal fireworks all up and down the beach,” Aili Moala told Redwood Voice Community News. 

Continue reading Law Enforcement, Fire Officials Say No Tolerance Campaign Paid Off This July Fourth

DNSO Releases Name Of Subject Killed In Friday’s Officer-Involved Shooting

Thumbnail photo by Heather Polen

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the male subject who was shot by a California Highway Patrol officer near the Crescent City Harbor and pronounced dead at Sutter Coast Hospital on Friday.

The deceased is 44-year-old Patrick George Selvage, Del Norte County Sheriff Garrett Scott told Redwood Voice Community News on Tuesday.

A Del Norte County Sheriff’s deputy and two California Highway Patrol officers were dispatched to Anchor Way west of U.S. 101 for a report of a male subject covered in blood at about 10:55 a.m.

Continue reading DNSO Releases Name Of Subject Killed In Friday’s Officer-Involved Shooting

Unidentified Man Fatally Shot By Law Enforcement; Incident Originated As A Medical Aid Call, Del Norte Sheriff Says

Thumbnail photo: Law enforcement continue an investigation into an officer-involved-shooting that took place near Anchor Way and U.S. 101 on Friday. | Heather Polen

Updated at 11:16 a.m. Saturday:

From the California Highway Patrol:

On June 27, 2025, at approximately 10:55 A.M., California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers assigned to the CHP Crescent City Area responded to a 911 report of a male subject covered in blood, on Anchor Way west of US-101. 

Emergency medical personnel also responded to the scene. The male subject was carrying a knife and aggressively approached medical personnel. Medical personnel backed away from the male subject.

One Del Norte Sheriff’s Office (DNSO) deputy and two CHP officers arrived on the scene and ordered the subject to drop the knife.  The male subject was non-responsive to verbal commands.

The subject aggressively approached the deputy and officers. The DNSO deputy deployed his electronic control device, which proved to be ineffective. The subject continued to aggressively charge at the officers with a knife, and out of fear for his safety and the safety of others, a CHP officer involved shooting occurred.

The subject was arrested at the scene, and emergency medical aid was rendered. The male subject was transported to Sutter Coast Hospital and succumbed to his injuries.  

No injuries were sustained by CHP officers or Allied Agencies. 

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A criminal and an internal affairs investigation is underway in connection with an officer-involved-shooting that claimed the life of an unidentified man, and took place at the intersection of Anchor Way and U.S. 101 on Friday.

The incident started as a medical aid call, Del Norte County Sheriff Garrett Scott told Redwood Voice Community News. Shortly after arriving at the scene — the grassy area near the Crescent City Harbor entrance — personnel from Crescent Fire and Del Norte Ambulance requested help from law enforcement, saying the patient was attacking them with a box cutter.

A Del Norte County sheriff’s deputy and a California Highway Patrol officer arrived on scene at about the same time, Scott said. The suspect was shot and later pronounced dead at Sutter Coast Hospital, the sheriff said, though the details surrounding shots being fired are still under investigation.

Continue reading Unidentified Man Fatally Shot By Law Enforcement; Incident Originated As A Medical Aid Call, Del Norte Sheriff Says

Crescent City Fire, Police Chiefs Discuss Independence Day Game Plan

Crescent City Fire Chief Kevin Carey said his department will be the eyes for law enforcement as the community seeks to curtail illegal fireworks this Fourth of July.

Speaking to the City Council via Zoom on Monday, Carey said he expects to have 25 volunteers and five of his battalion chiefs on duty. The fire department will divide its efforts into north, central and south divisions and plan with the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office, Crescent City Police Department and Del Norte Ambulance in case there are any large emergencies.

“We will be out and about doing patrols and following up on reports and smoke incidents,” Carey said. “And we’ll be reporting that to the PD and deputies as we need to do so we can produce a more safe Fourth of July in our area.”

Continue reading Crescent City Fire, Police Chiefs Discuss Independence Day Game Plan

Del Norte’s Youth Opportunity Center To House Adult Inmates During Jail Rehab Project Next Spring

Thumbnail photo: Consultants with NMR Architects, of Redding, are proposing a more open dormitory style layout rather than the row of cells that are currently at the Del Norte County Jail. | Screenshot

Though they echoed the probation chief’s sentiments that they didn’t want their employees “living out of a bag,” Del Norte County supervisors green lit a proposal to house adult inmates in the Youth Opportunity Center while the jail undergoes a significant remodel.

It was the less expensive option out of two members of a working group presented to the Board on Tuesday. Those group members, which included Assistant County Administrative Officer Randy Hooper and Del Norte County Sheriff’s Capt. Kyle Stevens, also asked the Board to consider using Measure R and capital improvement dollars to close a funding gap in the jail rehab project.

The Board agreed, but asked staff to continue to work to secure state funding for the remodel. Supervisors also directed staff to make sure Del Norte County Probation has input into where they will be housed when construction starts next spring.

Continue reading Del Norte’s Youth Opportunity Center To House Adult Inmates During Jail Rehab Project Next Spring

Crescent City Councilors Weigh In On Body Cameras, Military Equipment Policy, Wastewater Treatment Study

Crescent City Mayor Ray Altman and Councilor Jason Greenough were absent. Among the items discussed at Monday’s Crescent City Council meeting:

Axon body cameras: Crescent City renewed a five-year agreement with Axon that will equip its police officers with body cameras and Tasers as well as provide evidence storage. The Council’s decision included equipping three additional officers with body cameras. 

This will include two reserve officer positions as well as a community service officer, Crescent City Police Chief Richard Griffin said. The contract’s total cost will be just under $300,000 with the funding coming from Measure S.

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Eureka Council Quashes Camping Ordinance With One Member Saying It Targets Status Rather Than Conduct

Thumbnail photo: A man who identified himself as Ray told the Eureka City Council on Tuesday that he’s been homeless for 25 years. He asked the City Council to approach the issue with humanity. | Screenshot

Despite their city manager’s attempt to paint it as a means of getting people the help they need, three Eureka City Councilors decided that a proposed ordinance restricting camping and sitting or lying on the sidewalk is criminalizing homelessness.

City Manager Miles Slattery also presented letters from philanthropist Betty Chinn and Eureka Rescue Mission Executive Director Bryan Hall on Tuesday endorsing the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD program, which is specifically referred to in Bill No. 1040 C.S.

But Eureka City Councilor G. Mario Fernandez pointed out that though the LEAD program offers “case management and supportive services,” he’s not aware of any social workers who support it. The city already has regulations governing obstructing public walkways and aggressive conduct prompting Fernandez to question why Eureka needed additional camping laws.

Continue reading Eureka Council Quashes Camping Ordinance With One Member Saying It Targets Status Rather Than Conduct

Sheriff Says He Won’t ‘Give A Lot of Breaks’ On Illegal Fireworks This Year; Blake Inscore To Be Grand Marshal In Parade

Thumbnail photo courtesy of the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce

Del Norte County’s sheriff plans to come down heavy on criminal charges against those  who test the community’s resolve on curtailing the use of illegal fireworks.

Though a new social media campaign launched last week mentions increased administrative fines and penalties for the sale, possession and use of mortars, sky rockets and other unsafe pyrotechnics, those who flout state law could face misdemeanor or felony charges, Sheriff Garrett Scott said.

“The bottomline is it’s easier for us to focus more on state laws than it is on local laws just for the teeth,” Scott said Monday. “This time we’re trying to make an impact and make this community safe. And so this year, we’re not going to be giving a lot of breaks.”

Continue reading Sheriff Says He Won’t ‘Give A Lot of Breaks’ On Illegal Fireworks This Year; Blake Inscore To Be Grand Marshal In Parade