Delaware News


DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: May 13-19

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Date Posted: Friday, May 24, 2019



Reminder for the week: Have a safe Memorial Day holiday weekend; Don’t drink and boat!

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’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers made 2,300 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public between May 13 and May 19, issuing 25 citations. Officers responded to 56 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

On May 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers in Sussex County responded to and are investigating a fatal boat incident that occurred on Rehoboth Bay near Rehoboth Beach. The following press release was issued regarding the accident: DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police investigating fatal boat accident in Sussex County.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Fisheries Conservation: No Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (6), unlicensed fishing (2), and possession of undersized white perch (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: Operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (2), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), and no boat registration card on board (1).
Public Safety: Driving faster than the posted speed limit (1).

Other: Operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a state wildlife area (2)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (7)*, and state boat ramp parking violation (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 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters this holiday weekend that alcohol has many physical effects that directly threaten safety and well-being on the water.

When a boater or passenger drinks, the following occur:

  • Cognitive abilities and judgment deteriorate, making it harder to process information, assess situations, and make good choices.
  • Physical performance is impaired – evidenced by balance problems, lack of coordination, and increased reaction time.
  • Vision is affected, including decreased peripheral vision, reduced depth perception, decreased night vision, poor focus, and difficulty in distinguishing colors (particularly red and green).
  • Inner ear disturbances that can make it impossible for a person who falls into the water to distinguish up from down.
  • Alcohol creates a physical sensation of warmth – which may prevent a person in cold water from getting out before hypothermia sets in.

Make the right decision, don’t drink and boat!

To report boating violations please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24 hour dispatch line at 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

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

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: May 13-19

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Date Posted: Friday, May 24, 2019



Reminder for the week: Have a safe Memorial Day holiday weekend; Don’t drink and boat!

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’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers made 2,300 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public between May 13 and May 19, issuing 25 citations. Officers responded to 56 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

On May 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers in Sussex County responded to and are investigating a fatal boat incident that occurred on Rehoboth Bay near Rehoboth Beach. The following press release was issued regarding the accident: DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police investigating fatal boat accident in Sussex County.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Fisheries Conservation: No Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (6), unlicensed fishing (2), and possession of undersized white perch (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: Operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (2), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), and no boat registration card on board (1).
Public Safety: Driving faster than the posted speed limit (1).

Other: Operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a state wildlife area (2)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (7)*, and state boat ramp parking violation (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 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters this holiday weekend that alcohol has many physical effects that directly threaten safety and well-being on the water.

When a boater or passenger drinks, the following occur:

  • Cognitive abilities and judgment deteriorate, making it harder to process information, assess situations, and make good choices.
  • Physical performance is impaired – evidenced by balance problems, lack of coordination, and increased reaction time.
  • Vision is affected, including decreased peripheral vision, reduced depth perception, decreased night vision, poor focus, and difficulty in distinguishing colors (particularly red and green).
  • Inner ear disturbances that can make it impossible for a person who falls into the water to distinguish up from down.
  • Alcohol creates a physical sensation of warmth – which may prevent a person in cold water from getting out before hypothermia sets in.

Make the right decision, don’t drink and boat!

To report boating violations please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24 hour dispatch line at 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

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

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.