DNREC’s Natural Resources Police deliver 585 toys to U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program

Pictured aboard Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Marine Patrol vessel Alpha, are Fish & Wildlife Officer Billy Adkins (in back); Environmental Crimes Unit’s Lt. John McCarty; Delaware State Parks’ Cpl. Andrew Manning and Lt. Bryan John; Fish & Wildlife Chief Drew Aydelotte and Sgt. Brooke Mitchell; ECU Officer Rebecca Schuman; Fish & Wildlife Lt. Casey Zolper; and special guest Santa Claus (Fish & Wildlife Cpl. Josh Hudson), with K-9 Officer Rosco. DNREC photo/Shauna McVey.

DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Officer Rebecca Schuman of the Environmental Crimes Unit, and Cpl. David Redgraves and Cpl. Andrew Manning of Delaware State Parks Natural Resources Police. DNREC photo/Joanna Wilson.

DOVER – After a statewide gift-giving campaign throughout the holiday season, DNREC Natural Resources Police units from Delaware State Parks, the Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the Division of Community Affairs’ Environmental Crimes Unit have delivered 585 toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program in Delaware to provide gifts for less fortunate children in local communities for the holidays.

“Toys for Tots ensures that less fortunate children can awaken to presents in this season of giving, and I am proud that DNREC’s three Natural Resources Police units stepped up to make that a reality for hundreds of Delaware families,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Thanks to the dedication of Cpl. Andrew Manning of our Parks Natural Resources Police and all the other officers who took part in this campaign, DNREC has helped make a difference.”

The three Natural Resources Police units placed Toys for Tots donation boxes in locations statewide, including DNREC offices and state parks, to collect new, unwrapped toys suitable for boys and girls of all ages.

In Sussex County Dec. 13, DNREC Natural Resources Police officers met Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Marine Patrol vessel Alpha at the Indian River Marina to pick up toys collected from six Sussex donation locations and deliver them to the Sussex Toys for Tots facility. They collected 315 toys, which will be among those distributed to children in 1,038 Sussex families.

A total of 270 toys collected in Kent and New Castle counties were delivered Dec. 16 to the Dover Toys for Tots facility for distribution. The Kent County facility is serving more than 1,200 children, with a waiting list.

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


DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: July 8-14

Reminder for the week: Afterhours use of state wildlife and fishing areas prohibited unless hunting, fishing, or boating

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 8-14 made 3,360 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 41 citations. Officers responded to 85 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.Picture of the DNREC Natural Resources Police Badge

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community
• On July 8-12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers held their annual Kent County Basic Youth Academy attended by 23 participants at the Little Creek Hunter Education Center.

• On July 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing and boating questions, and took campers on a police boat ride during the White Clay Creek State Park’s Ranger summer camp.

• On July 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing and boating questions, and displayed a patrol vessel during the Touch-a-Truck event held at the Dover Public Library.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Improperly marked crab pots (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (9), possession of undersized white perch (2), possession of flounder parts (1), removing a prohibited shark from the water (1), failure to release protected shark unharmed (1), unlicensed fishing (3), and no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (4).

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), operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (1), water ski in a prohibited area (1), allowing use of a non-compliant vessel (1), no boating safety certification (1), and failure to have vessel registration card in possession (1).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana – civil (1)* and failure to stop on command of a police officer (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (7)*.

*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 are increasing patrols and closely monitoring state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities, and multi-use areas for visitor safety and compliance, as well as checking for illegal activity such as drug use, littering, and damaging wildlife habitat.

State wildlife areas, fishing piers, and boat launching facilities are closed to the public from sunset to sunrise unless a person is actively and lawfully engaged in fishing, hunting, or boating in accordance with state regulations and individual wildlife area rules. Individuals not meeting these requirements and found at these sites between sunset and sunrise face fines up to $100 for trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area.

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.

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

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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DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: April 29-May 5

Reminder for the week: Wearing life jackets saves lives in boating emergencies

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 April 29-May 5 made 2,584 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters, and the general public, issuing 40 citations. Officers responded to 63 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 April 30, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered questions regarding hunting, fishing and boating, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer during the annual Delaware Army National Guard Earth Day Expo at the Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center in New Castle.

• On May 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered questions regarding hunting, fishing and boating, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer during the annual White Clay Creek Fest at White Clay Creek State Park near Newark.

• On May 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers provided security at the Grain H2O Orange Crush 5K held on the Michael N. Castle Trail on the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Delaware City.

• On May 5, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered questions regarding hunting, fishing and boating, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer during the Tri-State Bird Rescue Open House in Newark.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

• On May 3, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Steven Robertson, 59, of New Castle, for one count each of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended or revoked license on the C&D Canal Conservation Area. Robertson was processed at Troop 9 in Odessa, where he was issued a summons for a mandatory appearance and released.

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

Fisheries Conservation: No Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (5), unlicensed fishing (4)*, and possession of undersized striped bass (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: No boating safety certificate (1)* and no boat registration card in possession (1)*.

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana – civil (8)*, passing a stopped school bus (1), and driving under the influence (1)*.

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (13)*, littering on a state wildlife area (1)*, driving with a suspended or revoked license (3), and operating a motor vehicle without proof of insurance (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 reminds spring boaters and anglers of the importance of carrying and wearing life jackets when boating on our waterways. In Delaware, life jackets are the law – and the law requires that owners/operators of recreational vessels carry one readily accessible life jacket for each person on board, and that children age 12 and younger wear a life jacket while a vessel is underway on Delaware waters. Life jackets are also required to be worn by all operators and passengers of personal watercraft, commonly known as jet skis.

Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach for and put on a stowed life jacket. Many lives have been saved by boaters who did the responsible thing and wore a life jacket. Browse real-life accounts of boaters who have been “Saved by the Jacket” here.

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including access to the online Delaware Boating Handbook, please click Delaware Boating Safety, or contact the Office of Boating Safety & Education at 302-739-9915.

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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Laurel man arrested by DNREC Environmental Crimes Unit for illegal dumping in Sussex County

GEORGETOWN – Following an investigation into a complaint of illegal dumping on Hastings Farm Road in Georgetown, Natural Resources Police Officers with DNREC’s Environmental Crimes Unit arrested a Laurel man Nov. 28 for illegal dumping of refuse.While on patrol, officers observed approximately six bags of household garbage dumped on the side of the roadway.

Robert A. Young Jr., 35, of Laurel, was charged with one count of causing or contributing to the disposal or discharge of solid waste materials. The charge carries a minimum fine of $500.

Young was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown, where he plead guilty to one count of illegal dumping. He was ordered to pick up the trash and issued a $500 fine.

Residents can report illegal trash dumping to DNREC’s Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit by calling the 24-hour environmental complaints line at 800-662-8802.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 48, No. 327

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DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Oct. 8-14

Reminder for the week: Persons prohibited from possessing deadly weapons

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 Oct. 8-14 made 1,682 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing five citations. Officers responded to 87 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.

Natural Resources Police Officer Speaks to the PublicFish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

  • On Oct. 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered questions regarding hunting, fishing and boating, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer during an event at Cabela’s near Christiana.
  • On Oct. 14, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions at a Hunter Education Class in the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Facility.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

  • On Oct. 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers investigated a minor property damage vessel accident involving a sailboat striking the Reedy Point Jetty in the Delaware River near Port Penn.
  • On Oct. 12-13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a report of an overdue kite surfer in the Delaware River near Augustine Beach. A search with multiple agencies did not find the individual. However, the next morning a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer responding to a suspicious person report at the Augustine Wildlife Area determined the individual to be the overdue kite surfer.

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

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (1), possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (2)*, and public intoxication (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a 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. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?

Delaware law prohibits persons with certain prior convictions, including felonies, from owning or possessing any type of deadly weapon. Deadly weapons include all firearms and ammunition, as well as any type of bow – compound, recurve or crossbow. Penalties for violations range from probation and fines to jail sentences.

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