Reminder for the week: Who are the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police?

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Sept. 24-30 made 1,870 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 17 citations. Officers responded to 55 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• On Sept. 26, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions at a 4-H Shooting Sports meeting in Middletown. K-9 River was also present at the event.
• On Sept. 26, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers handed out awards, discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions while attending the Viola Ruritan Club Fishing Tournament Awards Ceremony in Viola.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions
Incident of note:

• On Sept. 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Brad Patterson, 32, of Laurel, for one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia not marijuana-related, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia marijuana-related, and use of farm vehicle registration for other than its intended use near Frederica. Patterson was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover and released on a $750 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:
Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (2)*, use of crab pot without required turtle excluder (1), crab pot tampering (1), over-the-limit crab pots (1), and no F.I.N. (1).

Public Safety: Operate motor vehicle with excessive speed on a state wildlife area (1), operate a motor vehicle with excessive speed (1), possession of drug paraphernalia not marijuana-related (1), possession of methamphetamine (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia marijuana-related (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2)*, trespassing after hours on state forestry land (1), dumping on a state wildlife area (1)*, operating an unregistered motor vehicle (1)*, and use of farm vehicle registration for other than its intended use (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
For those who may not be familiar with the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police and how we can assist you, here is an overview:

Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers are certified police officers for the State of Delaware. Our main missions are to protect wildlife and fisheries resources, promote boating education and safety, hunting and fishing, respond to boating emergencies, and we are a partner in Delaware’s Homeland Security maritime mission.

Examples of incidents to which Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers respond include, but are not limited to, boating violations, hunting violations, recreational and commercial fishing violations, trespassing to hunt or fish, wildlife area violations, search and rescues, and investigations of boating accidents and hunting incidents.

For more information on our agency please contact 302-739-9086. To report violations, incidents, or accidents please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24-hour dispatch line at: 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913.

• Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.
• Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

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