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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FENWICK ISLAND – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police announced today that the victim in Saturday’s fatal boating accident off Little Assawoman Bay in Sussex County has been identified as Dr. Stephen Greenhouse, 53, of Bethesda, Md.

Dr. Greenhouse was operating a personal watercraft (PWC) on July 28, when he was involved in a collision with another PWC. He later was pronounced dead at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Md., and his body was turned over to the Maryland State Medical Examiner’s Office for determining cause of death.

The accident remains under investigation by DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9086 or 302-382-7167; or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 205

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FENWICK ISLAND – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers are investigating a fatal boating accident involving personal watercraft (PWC) that occurred at approximately 1:41 p.m. today on Roy’s Creek off Assawoman Bay in Sussex County.

A 53-year-old man, who was operating a PWC, was pronounced dead at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Md. The name of the deceased is being withheld, pending notification of family members.

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police said alcohol was not a contributing factor in the fatal PWC accident. Their investigation into the accident is ongoing, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police said Saturday evening.

Vol. 48, No. 204

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GEORGETOWN, Del. – A partnership with the Delaware State Police and the Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police is helping the Delaware Forest Service reopen its historic picnic pavilion at Redden State Forest that was closed in early 2017 due to persistent illegal activity.

“This historic pavilion was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and remains an important part of Redden State Forest’s heritage. Though we regret we had to close this area for an extended period, public safety will always be paramount to the Delaware Forest Service. That’s why we are grateful to members in the General Assembly and our partners at the Delaware State Police and Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police – their support is helping us reopen this area for continued recreation and enjoyment,” State Forester Michael A. Valenti said.

The parking lot and rest area – popular with hikers and horseback riders – now features bright lighting, 24-hour video surveillance, and regular patrols by both marked and undercover law enforcement personnel. Along with these enhanced security measures, new signage reminds visitors that the site is closed from dusk to dawn.

“We are proud to join the Forest Service and State Police in making this pavilion a safe place for families and visitors to enjoy Delaware’s scenic beauty and natural environment,” said Sgt. Brooke Africa of the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Everyone should be aware that – thanks to stepped-up patrols and vigorous enforcement – it will not be a welcoming place for anyone planning to engage in criminal conduct.”

Officials are asking anyone who observes suspicious or illegal activity at the site to report it immediately by calling 911.

“The Delaware State Police and the Delaware Forest Service are committed to restoring this rest area to its proper use as a family-friendly place at our beautiful state forest. This reopening shows how law enforcement agencies can work together to preserve our natural areas while also protecting the public. We hope that everyone will join our efforts by keeping alert to suspicious activity and reporting it immediately by calling 911,” said Sgt. Richard Bratz of the Delaware State Police.

Redden State Forest totals 12,924 acres and includes a variety of recreational activities from hunting to horseback riding. Three of its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Horse Barn, Ranger’s House, and Redden Forest Lodge – all of which date back to the early 1900s when executives and guests of the Pennsylvania Railroad came to the forest on hunting trips. Visitors arrived by train at the nearby Redden Station and traveled to the lodge by horse and carriage.

FREDERICA – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a Kent County woman and man on May 12, for multiple criminal and drug-related charges at the Division of Fish & Wildlife-managed Coursey Pond near Frederica.

Kenyanna Suarez, 31, of Magnolia, was charged with one count each of: criminal impersonation; civil possession or consumption of marijuana, personal-use quantity, by age 21 or older; and possession of drug paraphernalia not marijuana-related. Suarez was taken into custody on outstanding warrants for violation of probation and arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover. She was then committed to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in New Castle and held without bond.

Brett Evans, 54, of Frederica, was charged with one count each of: civil possession or consumption of marijuana, personal-use quantity, by age 21 or older; civil possession of marijuana-related drug paraphernalia; and driving with a suspended or revoked license. Evans was issued a criminal summons and released, pending a future court appearance.

Follow 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.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Africa, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-382-7167, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 121

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