THE MORNING REPORT

Friday, September 10, 2004

A Publication of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks & Recreation.

This information is provided to further information-sharing among state parks and their cooperating agencies.

Please send submissions to: morningreport@dnr.state.oh.us

An archive of these reports is available at: http://parknet.dnr.state.oh.us/parknet/law/mr/

ADMINISTRATION:

A service is offered to all field employees the by the Ohio Crisis Response Team through the Ohio Victim Witness Association. A few weeks a go Pat Enright was contacted on a Friday night by a park to coordinate a critical incident debriefing for officers and seasonal staff. The first though was to utilize the services offered by the Ohio EAP. However the 1-800 number for EAP was only available Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm.

Pat then remembered the services offered by the Ohio Crisis Response Team, coordinated through the Ohio Victim Witness Association, Cindy Kuhr, Director. Pat contacted Cindy's pager and within 30-minutes she returned his call. He explained the details of the incident and she stated she would contact team members near the park that was requesting the help. Before the end of the hour she again called and stated that 2 team members would be meeting with park staff on that Sunday. Cindy again reminded us that her organization is available to assist and the many services they provide. Cindy's pager and work numbers are provided as well as a list of her organizations services:

Cindy Kuhr Pager (937)647-6892 Work (740)845-2641

Services offer by O.V.W.A.

Crisis intervention

Death notification

Sensitive investigation assistance

Trial support/court escort

Community crisis response

Child interviews

Training

Resource/referral

The FOP also has a nationally recognized Critical Incident Response System (C.I.R.S.). As some may remember, they spoke at a Park Officer conference. The First responders are made up of Law Enforcement Professionals from agencies around the state including some of our own officers. The service is available 24 hrs a day thru a 1-800 number (1-800-FOP-OLCI). The system has been used by our officers in the past and received good reviews.

TO / FROM THE EDITOR:

Kevin Bradbury, park manager at Shawnee provided the following link to obtain flood data and predictions information covering most of the major watersheds around the state: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/ohrfc/OHRFCfcst.shtml

INCIDENTS:

A.W. Marion State Park

September 4, 2004- A 16 year old male drown at A. W. Marion.

Buck Creek State Park

September 4, 2004- While patrolling the picnic area, Officer Gaines noted a vehicle backed in to a parking space. The officer observed a black male and a white female rustling around, appearing to be getting dressed. The black male climbed over the back seat and sat in the driver seat, started the car and drove off. The officer called out to for the vehicle to stop and began to pursue. Park Officer Rachel Stout was also notified. The pursuit reached speeds of 60 mph while in the park. Approximately 2-3 minutes after terminating the pursuit, the S.O advised the car had crashed into a pole. Officers Gaines and Stout responded to the accident site and discovered the crash occurred approximately 1-2 miles from where he ended his last observation of the vehicle. The officer suspected a possible rape or abduction because of the furtive actions of the driver and the presence of a female. The female subject was injured and the driver reported to be unharmed after the crash.

Cleveland Lakefront State Park

August 27, 2004- The park received a call from Columbus dispatch concerning a watercraft accident near the fishing pier at Edgewater park with several people in the water. The incident involved 2 juveniles who were floating on a log and were being picked up by a boater. One of the males got his leg stuck in the propeller of the boat and received severe damage to his leg which caused him to go into full arrest.

East Fork State Park

August 30, 2004- The park received a call in reference to a suspicious vehicle at Tate boat ramp.. Her diagnosis was an overdose of Ambien (sleeping) pills. The victim has prior health issues and was on several medications.

Forked Run State Park

September 9, 2004- Due to high water and flooding across the park entrance road, the park has decided to close until further notice.

Grand Lake St. Mary’s State Park

September 5, 2004- The victim was operating a jet ski when he fell and hit his head on the watercraft. The Division of Watercraft and Parks responded to a sinking boat at the west end of the lake.

Guilford Lake Region

September 9, 2004- Flash flooding occurred overnight at Guilford, Beaver Creek and Jefferson Lake resulting in the evacuation and closure of certain areas in the park.

Hocking Hills State Park

September 5, 2004- While contemplating a jump across a stream near Old Mans Cave, a hiker lost his balance and fell approximately 10 feet. When he landed, the impact resulted in bones breaking in both ankles. Witnesses reported the incident to Park Officer Davis and he responded with Park Officer Thompson.

Hueston Woods State Park

September 2, 2004- An officer was driving when he swerved to the right to avoid a deer in the driving lane. Vehicle left roadway and struck right side of vehicle along tree, continuing forward until it struck a second smaller tree. Vehicle sustained damage to right side, front grille, overhead light bar, and side windows. Officer was wearing a seat belt/shoulder restraint and sustained no known injuries.

Lake Milton State Park

September 2, 2004- A female subject attempted suicide by taking an overdose of pills. She was found later by her father while on park property. She is in critical condition at the local hospital.

Little Miami State Park

September 2, 2004- : According to EMS staff, a witness at the scene stated that the 63 year-old white male victim was traveling on the Little Miami Bike Trail at high speed on his bicycle. The witness reportedly said that he noticed the bicycle become wobbly and then crash. Victim was unconscious from time of crash to time of airlift to Miami Valley Hospital.

Maumee Bay State Park

August 26, 2004- A victim attempted suicide with prescription drugs.

Portage Lakes State Park

September 3, 2004- Park Officer Jim Miller was working the “Blitz” traffic enforcement. Officer Miller stopped a vehicle for speed and asked for identification. The subject was not providing good information and stated that he needed to use the restroom. Miller stated that he would allow this but only after a pat down for weapons/contraband. The subject handed Miller a prescription bottle of Oxycotin and took a step towards the restroom. When Miller insisted on conducting a pat down the subject then turned on Miller said “I’m going to F--- you up” and lunged towards him. The subject grabbed Miller’s radio collar mike and jerked it off his collar and radio. During this process Miller was hit in the face either by the collar mike or the subject’s fist. The subject’s actions indicated to Miller that the collar mike was going to be used as a weapon so Miller drew his baton and expanded it. The subject then ran towards his vehicle and exited the area at a high rate of speed. Park Officer Postek, who had been called to the area by Miller for back up, arrived at this time and began a short pursuit of the subject. Postek lost the vehicle and then returned to the area to check on Officer Miller. Several felony and misdemeanor charges are pending.

TRAINING:

No updates to report

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HB 163 will take effect on September 23, 2004. It enacts additional prohibitions concerning the offense of State OVI. O.R.C. 4511.193 will require arresting officers to inform OVI offenders that if they have a prior OVI or OVUAC conviction under state or municipal law within the preceding twenty years, they now are under arrest for state OVI, and if they refuse to take a chemical test, they will face increased penalties if they subsequently are convicted of the State OVI.

BMV2255, notice of administrative license suspension, has been revised to include the required information.

You may continue to use the current BMV2255 until September 23, 2004. On that date you will be required to use the new 08/04 revision of BMV 2255. Please note the new revision date is indicated on the instruction sheet of the 2255.

You may e-mail your requests to Elizabeth Hampton, supervisor, at the following address- EHAMPTON@DPS.STATE.OH.US. You may also fax your requests at 614-752-7271. Please remember to include your agency name, street address, and the number of packages you are requesting. BMV 2255 is shipped in packs of 50.