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By Investigative Reporter, Linda Sutter – November 21, 2021
On December 15, 2023, a long-term tenant of the Bayside RV Park in the harbor district was showering at the facility provided for campers. This individual had lived at Bayside RV for years, consistently paying monthly rent. After returning late from work, she prepared for bed by taking a shower, playing loud music from her phone to lift her spirits before another workday.
Unbeknownst to her, she was being watched by a member of the Crescent City Harbor District Patrol, whose identity remains unknown. After finishing her shower and getting ready to leave, she discovered she had been locked inside by the on-duty Harbor Patrol Officer.
Distressed, the tenant called the Del Norte Sheriff’s Department, only to be asked who managed the park. The Sheriff’s Department could not identify a park manager, so dispatch contacted the Harbor Patrol, who eventually unlocked the door. The tenant had been falsely imprisoned by the Harbor Patrol. That night, two reports were filed—one by the Sheriff’s Department and another by the State’s Housing Authority.
This tenant is described as a hardworking, middle-aged individual living with PTSD, known for being articulate and caring. While she has not filed a federal lawsuit against the Harbor District, she could do so—not only for being locked in as a prank, but also for ongoing harassment. The Harbor Patrol continued to refer to her with derogatory terms in their reports until the behavior was reported and ceased.
Such conduct has reportedly been permitted under the supervision of Harbor Master, Mike Rademaker and Finance Director, Sandy Moreno, who are accused of destroying records, ignoring California Public Records Requests, and boasting about their lack of transparency in public forums. Is this the kind of representation the County and City desire for the Harbor District?
Gerhard Weber, John Evans, and Rick Shepard have publicly stated their commitment to the United States Constitution. Yet, one must ask: Are these self-proclaimed constitutionalists truly acting in good faith for the people’s interests, or are they abusing their authority by depriving individuals of their liberty simply because they hold the key?
The tenant has until the end of this month to file a Federal Lawsuit against the Harbor District for false imprisonment.
