MAGNOLIA – Delaware Natural Resources Police officers with DNREC’s Environmental Crimes Unit arrested a Kent County man Aug. 5, after a traffic stop in the area of Sorghum Mill Road in Magnolia led to the discovery of drugs and counterfeit US currency. After an odor of marijuana was detected during the traffic stop, ECU officers conducting a search of the vehicle found 16.9 grams of marijuana and 10 counterfeit $100 bills.

Jordan Patrick, 25, of Magnolia, was arrested and charged with: forgery first degree/possession of counterfeit money (a felony); tampering with physical evidence; possession of marijuana; operating a motor vehicle without proof of insurance in possession; operating a motor vehicle with a fictitious or cancelled registration card, number plate or tag; operating a motor vehicle without registration card in possession; and operating a vehicle without working brake lights.

Patrick was video-arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach. He was released on $10,300 unsecured bond for an active capias, and $3,202 unsecured bond for the charges resulting from the ECU traffic stop, pending an appearance in Superior Court.

Delawareans are encouraged to report environmental violations to DNREC’s Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit by calling the 24-hour environmental complaints line at 800-662-8802.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 212

Reminder for the week: Boaters, jet ski operators should wear engine shut off safety lanyard

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 between July 15-21 made 3,661 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 46 citations. Officers responded to 81 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 in the Community

• On July 15-19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers held their annual New Castle County Basic Youth Academy attended by 21 participants at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Center near New Castle.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crabs (2), possession of undersized striped bass (1), and unlicensed fishing (2).

Boating & Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (4)*, water ski without required life jacket (1), negligent operation of a motor vessel (1), no fire extinguisher on board (1), allowing use of a non-compliant vessel (1), no boating safety certification (2), failure to have vessel registration card in possession (1), no boat ramp certificate (1), and obstructing use of a public boat ramp (1).

Public Safety: Possession of drug paraphernalia (1), no child restraint (1), and passenger failure to occupy seat (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (17), dumping on a state wildlife area (2)*, excessive speed on a state wildlife area (1)*, unattended vehicle (2), operating an unregistered motor vehicle (1), and loitering (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. The Public 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 http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boat operators that most motor boats and jet skis come equipped by the manufacturer with an important safety device, an emergency engine cut-off switch. This safety device is designed to shut off the engine if the operator becomes separated from the proper operating position.

A lanyard is attached to the engine cut-off switch and the operator’s wrist or personal flotation device (PFD). The switch shuts off the engine if the operator becomes separated from the motor boat controls or falls off the jet ski. If you do not wear the lanyard and become separated from the motor boat controls, your vessel could become a run-away and cause serious injury or death to those in the boat or in the water. If your vessel does not come equipped with an engine cut-off switch, you should have one installed.

Operators of jet skis, also known as personal watercraft (PWC), are required by Delaware law to wear the emergency engine cut-off switch on a wrist lanyard at all times while operating.

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

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.

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

Reminder for the week: Avoid distracted boating and improper lookouts

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 between June 3-9 made 3,193 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 60 citations. Officers responded to 87 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 in the Community

• On June 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, safe hunting, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field during a Hunter Education Class held at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

• On June 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested two commercial fishermen for one count each of theft under $1,500 and conspiracy 3rd degree after they were found to be in possession of a commercial crab pot that they did not own on the Delaware Bay. Matthew Ewing, 36, and Patricia Ewing, 35, both of Frederica, were charged and arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on their own recognizance pending a future court date.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Use of a crab pot without required turtle excluder (1), crab pot tampering (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (3), possession of sponge blue crabs (8), trespass to fish (4), unlicensed fishing (7)*, no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (2), and possession of undersized white perch (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (3), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (4), failure to observe slow no wake (1), and inattentive operation of a motor vessel (1).

Public Safety: Clamming in a prohibited area (1), operating a motor vehicle at an unreasonable speed (1), following a motor vehicle too closely (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (11)*, littering (1), operating an unregistered motor cycle (1)*, operating an unregistered motor vehicle (2)*, theft under $1,500 (2), conspiracy 3rd degree (2), and local fugitive (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 http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters to always be safe on the waters by avoiding distracted boating and improper lookouts.

Inattentive operation of a vessel in Delaware includes both distracted boating and improper lookouts. We urge boaters to put down their electronics, talk to your passengers about a distraction-free ride, and watch for other boaters and swimmers around you. Any vessel operator found to not give their full time and attention to the operation of the vessel or maintain a proper lookout while operating the vessel will be charged with inattentive operation.

Some other ways to avoid distracted boating and improper lookouts include:

• Eat before you go! Focus becomes divided when you have one hand on the helm and one on your meal.
• Have a passenger handle adjusting the music so you as the operator are not worrying about changing the stations to find the best song!
• Assign a passenger to be an additional lookout as waterways can become congested. Having another pair of eyes for other vessels and people in the water is always beneficial.
• Make sure there is always another person on board who can operate the vessel safely and legally in case you become fatigued from all the sun and fun.
• Never drink and boat.

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

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.

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

-End-

Reminder for the week: Crabbers reminded to prepare crab pots for new season

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 between Feb. 25 to March 3 made 1,861 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 4 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

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

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana (1)*.

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2)* and littering/dumping on state wildlife area (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 http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind recreational crabbers to repair crab pots and replace or refresh required markings before putting crab pots in the water. Recreational crab pots must be marked with the owner’s full name and permanent mailing address, either on the required white buoy or on a waterproof tag attached to the buoy.

Recreational crabbers also should check the condition of the required terrapin (turtle) by-catch reduction device, a rigid metal or plastic frame with an opening measuring no larger than 1.75 inches by 4.75 inches that must be attached at the funnel entrance of all recreational crab pots to reduce the possibility of diamondback terrapins entering the pot and drowning. By-catch reduction devices are available at local tackle shops or may be handmade of heavy wire. For additional information on diamondback terrapins and instructions to install a terrapin excluder device on a recreational crab pot, click here.

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.

Contact: Lt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a Smyrna man Feb. 18 for multiple felony firearms charges and deer poaching following an investigation into illegal deer hunting.

Melvin J. Durand, 65, was charged with 19 counts of possession, purchase, ownership or control of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited for prior violent crime or felony; one count of possession, purchase, ownership or control of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited for prior violent crime or felony; and one count of possession or transportation of an unlawfully taken antlerless deer. Durand was arraigned at New Castle County Justice of the Peace Court 11, where he was released on an unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas.

As a result of the arrest and a search of Durand’s residence, 18 firearms, ammunition, and a compound bow were seized.

Citizens are encouraged to report wildlife violations to Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580, or through the DENRP Tip smartphone app, 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, by going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or by using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Like Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Lt. John McDerby, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-354-1386, or 302-739-9913

Vol. 49, No. 39