April 2024 Ranger Blotter
Enforcement
Violations: (189 total)
181 Infractions
3 Misdemeanors
5 Parking
Reports (9 total)
3 Vandalism
2 Vehicle Prohibited
2 Driving Under Influence
1 Stolen Vehicle
1 Closure
Medical
Reports (14 total)
13 Injury Accidents
1 Non-Injury Accident
Fire
No Reports
Misc.
Reports (4 total)
2 HAZMAT
1 Search & Rescue
1 Landing Zone
Report Summaries
On April 2, rangers responded to a report of a possible hazmat incident in Twin Creeks located in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. A ranger and the Santa Clara County Fire Department responded but were unable to locate any hazmat material. Later, with more information, rangers returned to Twin Creeks and found a paint mixing tool in the creek with white paint on it. The rangers removed the tool from the creek and disposed of it.
On April 3, rangers responded to a hiking accident on the East Summit Trail on Mount Umunhum in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. San Jose Fire Department and CalFire responded and the patient was transported by ground ambulance to the hospital due to a broken right ankle.
On April 4, two rangers hosted a poison oak interpretive program at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
On April 5, rangers responded to a non-injury vehicle accident in Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve. A visitor drove down the Orchard Loop Trail and then onto an unnamed road to cut to Monte Bello Road where they struck a split rail fence. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence by California Highway Patrol and the vehicle was towed.
On April 8 and 9, rangers closed Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve for mountain lion research to be safely conducted.
On April 12, a ranger responded to a report that a closet in a tack room of the former Hicks Creek Ranch in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve had an unauthorized lock added. The ranger found two glass containers of unknown liquids. The San Jose Fire Department hazmat team responded and removed the material from the preserve.
On April 12, a ranger responded to a solo injury vehicle accident at 22802 Prospect Avenue in Saratoga, near the Fremont Older Preserve parking lot. The driver was transported by Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services. California Highway Patrol (CHP) filed a report and evaluated the driver for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
On April 13, a ranger observed a cut chain on gate SA35 in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and resecured the gate. A stolen red pickup truck was found inside the gate on an interior road. CHP assisted with recovering the stolen vehicle and returning it to the registered owners.
On April 14, the landing zone adjacent to the North Ridge Parking Lot in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve was used for a cardiac event occurring off District lands. A ranger assisted with loading the patient into the air ambulance for transport to the hospital.
On April 17, staff in the fire program participated in the required annual wildland firefighting refresher training at Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve. Staff rotated in teams through five stations that included handline construction, progressive hoselay, mobile attack, and shelter deployment. The training was conducted safely and productively, with positive feedback from the instructors and participants.
On April 17, a ranger responded to a call for an injured hiker on the Woods Trail in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. San Jose Fire Department also responded. The patient was located and driven out of the preserve. Their chief complaint was knee pain but they left against medical advice.
On April 19, a ranger was first on scene of a motorcycle and car accident on Highway 35 near Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. Cal Fire and Santa Clara County Fire Department responded. The ranger provided dispatch with an updated location and began a patient assessment. Fire personnel arrived and took over patient care while the ranger provided traffic control with the assistance of a State Parks Ranger. One patient was transported by ground ambulance to a hospital.
On April 20, a ranger was first on scene of a solo motorcycle accident on Highway 35 at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. A Supervising Ranger assisted the ranger with traffic control as the San Mateo County Fire Department loaded the patient into an ambulance and transported them to the hospital.
On April 21, rangers responded to a motorcycle accident on Highway 35, provided initial care, notified San Mateo County Fire Department, and managed traffic control. Cal Fire and San Mateo County Fire Department transported to the rider to the hospital via ground ambulance.
On April 23, a ranger responded to a vandalized Midpen maintenance vehicle at the former Billingsly property in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The ranger documented the damage and generated a report.
On April 25, a California State Park Ranger notified a Midpen ranger of a bicycle accident that occurred within Long Ridge Open Space Preserve earlier that day. Information was collected, and the incident was documented. The State Park Ranger advised the call came in as a major injury accident, but when he arrived on scene, Cal Fire was already walking the victim out of the preserve on Ward Road. The victim transported themselves from the scene against medical advice.
On April 26, a visitor called 9-1-1 to request help exiting El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. A ranger responded, located the visitor on the trail, and provided transportation out of the preserve to the visitor’s vehicle. The visitor stated they were having trouble hiking out due to a preexisting injury aggravated by the cold weather. The visitor then left in their personal vehicle.
On April 27, rangers were first on the scene to an accident on Highway 35, occurring 0.1 miles south of Page Mill Road, where a motorcycle and vehicle collided. Upon arrival, the motorcycle rider was sitting on the side of the road with minor injuries, while the vehicle driver was uninjured. Rangers assisted with patient care and traffic control. The motorcyclist was assessed and released by the San Mateo County Fire Department against medical advice.
On April 28, a ranger responded to a vehicle accident on Highway 35 north of Rapley Ranch Road. The ranger provided aid and contacted the San Mateo County Fire Department who responded and assessed the vehicle occupants. The patient self-transported to the hospital. California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived and the ranger shared information with the officer before clearing the scene.
On April 28, a ranger responded to a motorcycle accident on Hick's Road, provided initial care, and called for additional units. The San Jose Fire Department treated the patient, who was then transported to the hospital via ground ambulance.
On April 30, a ranger responded a report from Midpen staff about an attempted break-in of the Alma College Tevis Library located in Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. The ranger photographed the scene and documented the damage.
