Monday, February 24, 2014

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Harassment, Feb. 9 — A man onboard a fishing vessel reported receiving multiple threatening text messages which he believed were meant for someone else. Officers attempted to contact the caller after his boat docked, without success.

Roads, Feb. 10 — Bus driver reported a crab pot was partially in the roadway. Officers responded and nudged the pot completely off the road.

Animal, Feb. 10 — Caller reported being unable to get from her vehicle to her workplace as she was surrounded by numerous foxes. She provided additional information indicating that a woman who lives nearby might be feeding the foxes and contributing to their increasingly familiar behavior. An officer chased two foxes from the area in order that the caller might get into her workplace.

Suspicious activity, Feb. 10 — Driver found the back window to her vehicle had been shattered. The investigating officer determined the damage likely was caused by the recent high winds.

Assistance rendered, Feb. 11 — A troubadour suffering in an overheated hallway requested assistance contacting her benefactor's security forces, that they might open the door to her apartment for her. A security guard arrived forthwith to save the waif.

Mental, Feb. 14, 0947 hours — Officers responded to a processing vessel regarding a man who was exhibiting unusual and concerning behavior. After spending a considerable amount of time with the man, officers determined that though he might have psychological problems he did not pose a danger to himself or others.

Trespass, Feb. 14, 1123 hours — Processing vessel personnel advised a man that his continued employment was dependent on him seeking medical attention, else he was to depart the vessel forthwith. The man ultimately elected to visit the clinic.

Suspicious activity, Feb. 15 — Officers responded to a processing plant regarding a report that several men were getting high on pressurized whip cream. Officers found this was indeed the case and advised the participants against continuing this activity.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Silver Bay Seafoods cited over late fish tickets

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Fish tickets
On 2/21/14 Silver Bay Seafoods in Sitka was cited after an investigation revealed the company had failed to submit several fish tickets within seven days as required by regulation. Silver Bay has a mandatory court appearance in Sitka.

Southeast seiner charged with misreporting catch

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka, Hidden Falls
Type: Fish ticket
On 1/30/14 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, cited Christian Buschmann, 26, of Petersburg, for failing to provide factual catch data on a commercial fish ticket. Investigation showed Buschmann had operated commercial seine gear and retained salmon in the Hidden Falls area in July 2013, but reported the fish in another area. Buschmann was issued a summons to appear in Sitka District Court.

Southeast salmon seiner nets fine, forfeiture

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau
Type: Sentencing
On 1/29/14 Vernon M. Crane, 39, of Fritz Creek, pled guilty to one count of commercial fishing during a closed period. He was fined $2,000 with $1,000 suspended, ordered to forfeit $1,318.18 worth of illegally taken salmon, and placed on probation for one year.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Crabber charged with illegal possession of females

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Illegal possession of female crab
On 2/19/14 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited William E. Swimelar, 54, of Bothell, Wash., for illegal possession of female opilio and bairdi crab aboard the F/V Barbara J. Swimelar also was cited for failing to register or check into the fishery with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game prior to fishing. Arraignment set for 3/5/14 in Unalaska District Court.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Assistance rendered, Feb. 2 — Taxi driver reported a passenger had passed out in her taxi. By the time an officer arrived, a friend had paid the inebriate's fare and was helping him onto the vessel.

Suspicious activity, Feb. 2 — Caller reported hearing loud explosions near her residence. Officers determined the explosions were in fact fireworks being ignited by an avid Seahawks fan. The fan was advised to cease those particular revelries.

Drunk disturbance, Feb. 2 — Officers responded to a vessel upon which an intoxicated man was allegedly threatening violence. Officers found the suspect already packing his belongings and anxious to be off the vessel from which he had just been fired.

Assault, Feb. 6 — The only three patrons of a bar got into a fight and then ran in multiple directions when police arrived. All three men were eventually apprehended after the last one ran around the processing area before unsuccessfully hiding under a car. None of those involved wished to pursue charges.

Suspicious activity, Feb. 6 — Officer observed black sludge leaking from a barrel in which a fire was contained. Further investigation revealed a business employee was burning fiberglass and oil-soaked rags, per normal business practice, in the barrel. The fire was eventually extinguished after a fire officer arrived on scene and instructed the employee in proper fire management techniques. Citation pending for unlawful disposal of hazardous waste.

Public safety, Feb. 7, 1138 hours — Category 1 travel advisory issued for high winds after the National Weather Service issued a high-wind advisory.

Environmental, Feb. 7, 1411 hours — Remnants of a World War II-era building near the airport blew off and struck several vehicles parked in the adjacent lot. Several vehicles sustained damage; one was totaled. Alaska Department of Transportation employees helped move fallen debris from the area.

Roads, Feb. 7, 1417 hours — A school zone sign, still flashing, was blown into the roadway. Public Works was notified.

Roads, Feb. 7, 1659 hours — Caller reported 2x4s flying across Ballyhoo Road. A harbor officer secured the debris.

Ambulance request, Feb. 7, 1815 hours — EMS personnel provided care and transport for a woman who had hit her head after being blown over by high winds.

Roads, Feb. 8, 1237 hours — High wind and waves washed out a section of sea wall, scattering rocks and other debris upon the roadway. Public Works was notified.

Ambulance request, Feb. 8, 1459 hours — EMS assistance was requested for the crew of a vessel that had been struck by a large wave. The captain of the vessel advised a short time later that medical attention was unnecessary.

Assistance rendered, Feb. 8, 1507 hours — Officer contacted the captain of a wind- and wave-damaged vessel and confirmed they had no need of assistance.

Environmental, Feb. 8, 1649 hours — A wind-blown container van struck a tsunami siren, breaking the battery box for the siren.

Drunk disturbance, Feb. 8 — Officer observed what appeared to be a fight in progress outside the bar. The involved parties said they were simply engaging in an activity they termed "sack tapping," apparently normal behavior for members of their boat crew. The officer advised the men it might be more appropriate to engage in said behavior in a less public venue.

DUI, Feb. 8 — Two intoxicated men drove to Unalaska Department of Public Safety to bail out a buddy. The drunks were uncooperative with officers, and witnesses were unable to identify which of the two men, both legally intoxicated, had driven the vehicle. No charges were filed.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Troopers cite King Cove cod fisherman over gear

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: King Cove
Type: Unlawful gear
On 1/31/14 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Andrew Wilson, 25, of King Cove, for commercial fishing for Pacific cod with unlawful groundfish gear near Sanak Island. Upon inspection of Wilson's P-cod pots, operated by the F/V Miss Courtney Kim, it was determined several pots had tunnel eye openings greater than 36 inches. Arraignment set for 2/18/14 in Homer District Court.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Ketchikan sportfishing lodge fined $8,000

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Conviction
During the summer of 2013, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, conducted an investigation into illegal sportfish activities at Clover Bay Lodge located on Prince of Wales Island. The investigation resulted in the lodge being charged for intentionally feeding bears, using the edible meat of sport-caught salmon as bait, furnishing sport-caught shellfish to clients, and taking overlimits of halibut. On 1/28/14 Clover Bay Lodge pled guilty on two misdemeanor counts of intentionally feeding bears, and using the edible meat of sport-caught king salmon as bait. The lodge was fined $8,000 and placed on probation for two years.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Drunk disturbance, Jan. 26 — Security requested assistance with an emergency in one of the bunkhouses. Responders found an extremely intoxicated man had passed out in his bathtub and had only been discovered when his roommate noticed water flowing from the bathroom. The drunk was irate about his tub time having been interrupted, dressed himself in his drenched clothing and continued drinking.

Environmental, Jan. 27 — Caller reported what appeared to be an oil sheen near City Dock. The U.S. Coast Guard was advised of the situation.

Assault, Jan. 30 — Officers responded to a processing plant regarding a recent fistfight. One of the participants, quite intoxicated, sported a bloody nose but denied having been involved in any kind of altercation. Neither party wished to pursue charges.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Trident cited over late fish tickets

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Fish tickets
On 1/24/14 Trident Seafoods was cited on four counts of submitting late fish tickets to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.