January 2023 Ranger Blotter
Enforcement
Violations: 257
Reports (17 total)
3x Batter on Peace Officer
2x Vandalism
1x Vehicle Prohibited
Fire
Reports (0 total)
Medical
Reports (5 total)
2x Injury Accident
1x Cardiac Emergency
Misc.
Reports (4 total)
2 x Road Hazard / Traffic Control
2x Search & Rescue
Incident Summaries
On January 2, while on foot patrol in Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve, a ranger observed a visitor with a possible ankle injury. The ranger contacted the party who declined medical assistance. The ranger provided an icepack and escorted the party back to the trailhead, where the party then self-transported offsite.
On January 5, a tree was found blocking the south bound lane of Highway 35 approximately 0.25 miles south of Rapley Ranch Road in San Mateo County. San Mateo County Fire Department was able to clear the north bound lane before being called away. Rangers then cleared and removed the remaining parts of the tree to open the south bound lane.
On January 6, staff found gate SA33 in Sierra Azul Preserve Open Space was forced open and the locking post was pulled out of the ground. The gate was repaired and no suspects were seen.
On January 9, rangers discovered damage to gate SA08 in Serra Azul Open Space Preserve. The safety bumper on the backside of the gate was torn off. The gate was set to remain open until a repair can be made.
On January 9, rangers were notified of two lost visitors in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. The rangers coordinated a search, located the two hikers at the North Ridge parking area and safely returned them to their vehicle at the Purisima Creek Road parking area. The hikers intended to hike a loop but encountered a landslide which caused them to turn around and be extended longer than expected.
Through the storms, rangers have cleared multiple trees across roadways, assisted clearing landslides from Purisima Creek Road, refueled generators twice a day to keep the Sierra Morena repeater functioning through power outages, and continued checking on Midpen road and trail conditions.
On January 17, a ranger came across a person suffering from a possible behavioral incident. A woman was walking up Hicks Road adjacent to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve in her underwear and a sweatshirt. The woman threw a pacifier at the ranger when he inquired if she needed help. The ranger requested the assistance of Santa Clara County Sheriff' s Office deputies and additional rangers. When deputies arrived on scene the woman became combative. Sheriff’ s Office Deputies restrained the subject with ranger assistance so she could be transported to the hospital by ground ambulance for further evaluation and a psychiatric hold.
On January 18, a ranger discovered illegal coverboards located in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve off Ancient Oaks Trail. The boards are suspected to be associated with boards previously found in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve due to the materials used. The coverboards in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve as well as additional illegal cover boards discovered in Windy Hill Open Space Preserve are under surveillance by ranger staff. Natural Resources staff are also being consulted on this case to ensure the coverboards are not connected to a legitimate study and for best practices to remove them.
On January 19, a cardiac emergency occurred in Thornewood Open Space Preserve. Rangers and San Mateo County Fire Department provided medical care and extricated the patient. The patient was then transported via ground ambulance to the hospital.
On January 20, a ranger discovered an illegal campsite in Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve. The ranger was unable to locate any associated party and taped a 72-hour eviction notice on the outside of the tent.
On January 20, a ranger responded to a report of an injured visitor in Rancho San Antonio County Park in Lot 6. The ranger requested Santa Clara County Fire Department respond. The patient was found in a seated position with a head wound from a fall after he fainted. He was alert but had an altered level of consciousness. Fire personnel arrived, took over care, and transported the patient by ground ambulance to the hospital.
On January 21, rangers worked to remediate “ moss graffiti” ( moss scraped off a rock to spell out a message) on a rock near Alpine Pond in Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. The rangers mixed moss with buttermilk to make a moss slurry which they then used to paint onto the rock. With luck, the moss will grow over time and fill in the scraped areas.
