April 2023 Ranger Blotter
Enforcement
Violations: 214
Reports (6 total)
2x Fire without Permit
1x Arson
1x Assault
Fire
Reports (1 total)
1x Fire found Extinguished
Medical
Reports (9 total)
6x Injury Accident
1x Air Ambulance
Misc.
Reports (5 total)
3x Road Hazard/Traffic Control
1x Animal Incident
1x Landing Zone
Report Summaries
On April 1, 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 fleed 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 not able to stop them.
On April 1, a ranger responded to a vehicle accident that occurred on Mount Umunhum Road in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. No one was injured and the suspect was cited for a reckless driving violation and released. The vehicle was towed away.
On April 2, rangers responded to a bicycle accident on the Indian Creek Trail in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. The bicyclist was riding on the trail and crashed, injuring his left shoulder and side, and likely lost consciousness. The bicyclist was treated by Palo Alto Fire Department personnel and transported to a hospital by air ambulance.
On April 4, a ranger discovered a tree that had been illegally cut in Tunitas Creek Open Space Preserve. The ranger documented the scene, processed items into evidence, and wrote a report.
On April 8, rangers responded to a wildlife incident took place between a coyote and a hiker with dogs in Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. The victim felt threatened and the coyote displayed unacceptable/ abnormal behavior. No injuries took place and signs were posted. California Department of Fish and Wildlife was notified and did not recommend any further action.
On April 9, rangers responded to a vehicle accident that occurred on Highway 35 approximately 1-mile south of Swett Road in San Mateo County near El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. Rangers were first on scene and provided initial medical care and traffic control. San Mateo County Fire Department arrived and took over patient care. One patient was transported to the hospital by ground ambulance.
On April 13, a ranger responded to a report of a hiker who fell on Hassler Trail in Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. San Mateo County Fire Department and San Mateo Emergency Medical Services assisted the patient off the trail and then transported the patient to Stanford Medical Center.
On April 15, a vehicle was broken into in the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve parking lot. A debit card, credit card, and $300 in cash were stolen from a wallet in the locked glovebox. Damage was reported to the driver' s side door lock and glovebox lock. The owner of the car filed a report with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
On April 15, a ranger encountered a vehicle accident on Highway 1 on the Tunitas Creek Bridge. San Mateo County Fire Department responded and requested assistance with traffic control. The ranger performed traffic control until the highway was cleared.
On April 16, rangers conducted a bicycle safety table outreach effort at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve.
On April 17, rangers discovered evidence of an extinguished warming fire located in a pullout at the intersection of Summit Road and Loma Prieta Road. CAL FIRE was notified.
On April 22, a ranger responded to a patient suffering from mild heat exhaustion on the Limekiln Trail in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The ranger drove Santa Clara County Fire Department personnel to the patient then transported everyone back to SA19 where the patient was evaluated by a paramedic and released against medical advice.
On April 22, a ranger discovered an extinguished fire in the pullout near Loma Prieta Road and Loma Chiquita Road in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The fire happened several days before and was extinguished by CAL FIRE Burrell Station firefighters. Photographs and an incident report were taken.
On April 23, a ranger discovered an unknown lock on Gate SA05 and a rental trailer with a generator and lights on a pole were found approximately one- fourth of a mile in from the gate in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. No suspects were seen. The trailer was stolen from a work site in San Jose and was recovered by the owner on April 24.
On April 23, rangers attended a San Francisco garter snake training with the Natural Resources Department and United States Geological Survey staff at Cloverdale Ranch.
Between April 26 through April 28, two supervising rangers and five rangers completed Crisis Intervention Training with the Santa Clara County Sheriff' s Office. The training focused on responding to individuals experiencing psychological and/ or drug related issues. All rangers and supervisors will attend this training as available.
On various dates, rangers attended wildflower identification training with Natural Resources staff at the Hawthorns property in Windy Hill Open Space Preserve.
On various dates and at various locations, rangers weed whipped around gates, stiles, and signs as part of their maintenance assignments.
On various dates, rangers and seasonal ranger aides completed CPR training as part of their Professional Rescuer recertification training.
On April 28, a ranger was advised by a neighbor that Pacific Gas & Electric ( PG& E) conducted unauthorized road clearing in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The clearing, which took place in late February 2023, resulted in the destruction of sensitive habitat. The ranger investigated the area and gathered statements from Midpen staff and the neighbor for a report. Staff will follow up with PG& E to repair the damage.
On April 29, a ranger discovered a solo vehicle accident on Highway 84. The ranger stopped and located two people outside of the car. The ranger called the San Mateo County Fire Department and California Highway Patrol (CHP) and assessed the passengers who appeared intoxicated with an odor of alcohol. A passenger in the vehicle was assessed by Fire personnel and was transported by ground to the hospital. CHP arrived and took over the scene.
On April 30, a ranger was informed by a Santa Clara County Park Ranger that a cyclist was hit with a pellet gun from a passing vehicle on Hicks Road by Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The victim was not injured and the suspects were not found. Santa Clara County Sheriff’ s Office Deputies arrived and took a report. The ranger checked the Mount Umunhum area for the suspect vehicle but it was not located.
