CLMP had reports of low-flying
helicopters in Humboldt county on 30 or more dates between May and September
in 2005, and ground crews were reported on approximately an additional 20
days. CAMP and local crews each reportedly took about 22,000 cannabis plants
in Humboldt, from 66 gardens (in the case of CAMP), an average of around 300
plants/garden. Only one medical garden was reported raided; most plants were
left and no arrests were made.
Below
is a list of CLMP helicopter complaints taken this year. Not included are
numerous fixed wing aircraft sightings, some of them quite obtrusive, since
Sgt. Hansen of Humboldt County Sheriff’s department told us he does
not fly planes. Also excluded are any sightings of helicopters that CLMP was
able to determine were PG&E, Sudden Oak Death monitoring, Coast Guard
or CDF. Code Enforcement and Fish & Game informed the CLMP office that
they do not fly.
Sgt.
Hansen told CLMP he was flying only a silver-colored helicopter, paid for by
CAMP funds. A disturbing number of sightings of a black or olive green
helicopter remain unidentified. Numerical identification of aircraft is almost
impossible from the ground, even with binoculars. Also disturbing is the fact
that although all agencies pledge to stay 500’ over people’s homes,
in keeping with a consent decree won by CLMP, numerous callers reported this
air space violated again this year.
Humboldt
County's Marijuana Suppression Program Grant was reduced by 22% or $74,756 for
FY2004/05, and as a result the Sergeant in the Drug Enforcement Unit is now
paid from the Sheriff’s budget. Overall, the County's hiring freeze has
left 340 positions vacant and for the fourth consecutive year no cost-of-living
raises were given to county employees. Budget cuts have caused the elimination
or drastic reduction of General Fund contributions to Substance Abuse
Treatment, Youth Services Bureau, Veterans Service Organizations, Predatory
Animal Control, and outside agencies that promote tourism and economic
development in Humboldt County.
Supervisor
Rodger Rodoni told CLMP he was informed that Humboldt county would receive no
state funds for marijuana suppression next year, and has been assured that no
county funds would go to the program. He was told the Board could require that
forfeited funds go to the general county fund, or to education; and require
that aircraft that fly over Humboldt county are marked so that they can be
identified.
Increased
federal spending on marijuana law enforcement has not been associated
with
a reduction in marijuana use, according to a report released August 23 by the
Washington-DC based Justice Policy Institute (JPI). The United States budget
for drug control has increased over 300 times in the last 35 years, from $65
million to $19 billion. Reported marijuana usage rose 22 percent during the
1990s, despite a 127 percent increase in marijuana arrests, JPI researchers
found. In 2003, an estimated 755,000 Americans were arrested for marijuana
violations – the highest total ever recorded
in
a single year. Throughout the past 20 years, marijuana usage has remained
stable.
A
previous report published by the NORML Foundation in March concluded that
rising marijuana arrest rates have not been associated with a reduction in
marijuana use, reduced marijuana availability, a reduction in the number of new
marijuana users, reduced treatment admissions, reduced emergency room mentions
of marijuana, any reduction in marijuana potency, or any increases in the price
of marijuana.
1.
5/11 11:30 AM Black huey helicopter 100'150' above Eureka golf course
2.
5/26 11:45 AM Very low flying green/black helicopter spotted on Reed Mountain
circling below tree line; same description 1 PM Cahto Peak Laytonville
3.
5/31 11:20 AM caller buzzed by black or dark green helicopter w/boom off nose,
very low in Mattole River area, heading towards Honeydew from Ettersburg
4.
6/1 12:00 PM Noisy helicopter circling over homesteads, as low as 200’ in
Rancho Sequoia; also seen in Blocksburg/Larrabe Creek Ranch “Old style
and scary” had 3-6 gunners onboard. Complaint #268
5. 6/7 1:45 PM – Black military-style helicopter flying 200’ above homes in Buzzard’s Peak, near Rohnerville airport, Scotia Bluffs Formation. Looked like Bell Kiowa type. Flying very slow, with doors open. Had two other calls spotting it. Complaint #270. Also seen flying low and slow over Petrolia, 2 PM, could see people inside.
6.
6/9 12 PM Black helicopter spotted over G'ville heading northwest.
7.
6/10 4 PM KMUD reported calls spotting helicopter in Rancho Sequoia. We got
call, blue and white heli 300' above house on Upper Sawmill Rd. same afternoon.
8.
6/13 3:30 PM black plane low over Windy Gap
9.
6/15 4 PM - 2 calls/complaints. Black helicopter flying low over homes in Verde Creek.
“Obnoxious.” (complaint #271)
10,
11. 6/20 & 21 – caller heard aircraft noise all day at Redway con
camp. (DEA overflight training?)
12.
6/27 11:30 AM – helicopter in surveillance mode over Blue Slide
13.
6/28 – dark small helicopter flying so low caller could see faces of guys
on either side in camo gear over Sealey Creek. Complaint # Also spotted Ferndale Valley below 500
ft., Kiowa type; and “way below 500’” in Ettersburg.
14.
6/29 – helicopter extremely low, below treetops over New Ranch Road.
Noisy. Also seen in surveillance mode in Bell Springs, Palo Verdes.
15.
7/6 – veteran called, had seen reports of helicopters in paper. Also came
low over his property in Shelter Cove last week. Not happy. Makes him nervous.
16.
July 19 - CLMP received the following complaints of low-flying helicopters:
under 500 ft. in Salmon Creek over a two-hour period; 200-300 ft. in Briceland;
and under 200 feet in Seely Creek.
17.
July 21 - a woman in Seely Creek
complained that a low-flying silver-colored helicopter invaded her privacy.
18,
19. July 25 and 26 - An unidentified black and white or blue and silver
helicopter was seen over Rancho Sequoia and Alderpoint. An unidentified olive
or black helicopter was seen on the same days over Palo Verde, landing at the
Con camp, and flying low over Salmon Creek, in Sealey Creek, in Harris Ranch,
and in the Matole Canyon. Sergeant Wayne Hansen of the Humboldt County Sheriffs
Department said he was flying only a silver-colored helicopter funded by CAMP
but without CAMP personnel onboard earlier that week.
20.
August 4 - A dark colored helicopter was seen in the Crooked Prairie/ China
Creek area.
21.
August 8 - Helicopters were spotted carrying bundles of marijuana in the Pratt
Mountain area
22.
August 9 - complaints were received about a low-flying dark-colored helicopter
in the Larrabee Butte area, in Windy Gap, and in Wool Mountain near Kettenpom.
A caller to CLMP said a military-style dark olive helicopter was circling at
300 feet and had a machine gun mounted on its front.
23.
August 10 - a caller reported hearing a helicopter in Larrabee Valley and the
next day, a large ground crew was seen in that area.
24.
August 11 - a gray helicopter was seen flying low in Arcata over the 101.
The Humboldt County Sheriff's department confirmed that CAMP (Campaign Against
Marijuana Planting) conducted operations in early August in Humboldt county and
that officers were flying in a silver and purple helicopter.
25,
26. August 23 and 24 - The Humboldt County Drug Enforcement Unit was active in
the Sealey Creek area. KMUD reported that at least 750 marijuana plants were
found and that a National Guard helicopter and two National Guard personnel
were used in the operation, which was not associated with CAMP (Campaign
Against Marijuana Planting).
27.
September 6 – complaint about helicopter flying “way under
500’” in Willow Creek, maroon color (had previously seen
black/green one). 30 plants were reportedly taken but 10 were left in a garden
somewhat protected by an expired medical marijuana recommendation. The plants
spanned 5-ft., according to Sgt. Hansen. No arrests were made.
28.
September 7 - Humboldt County sheriffs reported taking 1100 plants from 6
gardens in the Panther Gap Area. Helicopter sightings came in for Chemise
mountain and Mattole valley.
29.
September 10 – two military jets seen flying over Freshwater.
29.
September 19 - officers in a Blazer reportedly apologized to residents after
driving through private land in the Lost Rivers area of Whitethorn.
30.
September 20 - a convoy of vehicles with a Chevy Blazer was seen in the
Dyerville Loop area of Alderpoint Road.
31.
September 30 11:45 AM – “obnoxious” helicopter flying low
over Salmon Creek/Mattole Headwaters. Bell Ranger, dark green. Sheriff cut lock
on caller’s gate; no open fields in area. Caller saw helicopter land in
Miranda, second time this year.
32.
October 4 – Army-style chopper seen in Bridgeville, then in Rancho
Sequia. Black, circling.
33.
October 8 (Saturday) – real low flying “bird” in Perry
Meadow.
34.
October 11 – helicopter flying at 1000’ through Salmon Creek
towards con camp.