March 2023 Ranger Blotter
Enforcement
Violations: 145
Reports (6 total)
2x Burglary
1x Vehicle Prohibited
1x Theft
Fire
Reports (1 total)
1x Active Fire
Medical
Reports (5 total)
3x Injury Accident
1x Fatality
Misc.
Reports
3x Road Hazard/Traffic Control
1x Animal Incident
Report Summaries
On March 2, a Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Deputy reported and abandoned/disabled vehicle associated with mail theft in the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve parking lot. The deputy searched the roadways nearby, was unable to locate anyone associated with the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed.
March 5, a visitor was hiking when a tree fell and landed on them on the Stephen E. Abbors Trail at Rancho San Antonia Open Space Preserve. Rescuers including rangers and Santa Clara County Fire Department cut the tree away in order to initiate medical care. Firefighters and rangers performed CPR and lifesaving medical treatment but were unable to resuscitate the patient. The patient was declared deceased at the scene by a Santa Clara County Fire Department paramedic.
On March 6, two loose dogs were discovered harassing cattle in the Lone Madrone Ranch area of La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. San Mateo County Animal Control responded and impounded the dogs. The dogs were previously observed loose in the area with the first observation on January 10, 2023. The owners of the dogs were warned by rangers about the violations which included dogs prohibited and dogs harassing livestock or wildlife.
On March 7, a visitor slipped and suffered an injury to their ankle while hiking the Creekside Trail at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. A ranger and Santa Clara County Fire Department personnel treated the patient at the scene. The patient was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.
On March 9, a ranger was first on scene to a vehicle collision involving a tree on Skyline Boulevard in San Mateo County. The ranger notified the San Mateo County Fire Department and assessed the patients. One patient complained of chest pain and was transported to the hospital.
On March 13, a ranger observed a boulder blocking the southbound lane of Highway 35 in a blind turn at Skeggs Vista Point. The ranger placed road flares and performed traffic control until a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer arrived on scene. The ranger and the CHP officer were able to move the boulder off the roadway.
On March 14, a ranger initiated a fire response for a tree that caught fire at a Midpen residence. San Mateo County Fire Department and the ranger monitored and isolated the tree until Pacific Gas and Electric Company deenergized the power line that started the fire. The fire put itself out once the electricity was disconnected.
On March 14, a ranger observed a tree blocking all lanes of Highway 35, approximately 0.2 miles north of Bear Gulch Road. The ranger notified the San Mateo County Fire Department as well as CalTrans and performed traffic control until the tree was cleared.
On March 15, an auto burglary took place in the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve parking lot. Rangers were made aware of the incident on March 19 and a report was created.
On March 18, a ranger responded to a report of three individuals riding motorcycles through El Sereno Open Space Preserve. The individuals were not observed by the ranger but information from the reporting party was gathered and a report was created.
On March 22, a ranger received a report of power lines down on Highway 35 at Skeggs Vista Point. The ranger notified the relevant agencies and closed the highway south of the downed lines.
On March 24, an auto burglary occurred in Rancho San Antonio County Park. The victim stated that there was a mark on the vehicle door where entry had been made and cash was missing from their purse. The person’s vehicle was broken into at the same location previously.
On March 26, a road cyclist was found lying on the ground on Hicks Road. The cyclist crashed while traveling downhill and sustained a head injury and injuries to the left side of their body. Santa Clara County Fire Department arrived on scene and transported the patient to a local hospital.
On March 23 and 29, a ranger attended “Community Helpers Month” at a local preschool in Los Altos. The ranger presented to the students about the role and duties of the rangers to protect the preserves and the people that visit them.
On March 30, a ranger responded to “Vehicles Prohibited, Reckless Driving, and Resisting Arrest” violations that occurred on the Aquinas Trail in El Sereno Open Space Preserve. Two motorcyclists rode on the trail and initially fled when a Ranger attempted to stop them. One motorcyclist made physical contact with a preserve visitor, fell from his motorcycle, and fled on foot. A ranger stopped and cited the motorcyclist who fled on foot. He was a minor and was released to his parent. The second motorcyclist fled and rangers were unable to stop them.
