All gone Deliapidated building on A Street has been fully removed.
More on this, Page A12
SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 www.triplicate.com
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023
Crescent City, CA
Are criminals becoming more emboldened? building. Cairns steadfastly believes homeless occupants living in the swamps behind his building are responsible for this criminal behavior. Have there been arrests in the camps hidden by behind Elk Valley Road? YES … and those charged are often booked and released. Quite naturally, Cairns is upset. He sees no consequence for individuals who commit these crimes. Cairns is not alone in expressing his frustration about the lack of arrests or prosecution of individuals.Cairns staunchly believes criminals are becoming more emboldened for there is no fear of arrest, prosecution or detainment in jail or prison. So, who’s to blame? Who does the public complain to address this deteriorating condition. The Triplicate receives multiple complaints via email and telephone calls, expressing similar frustration in a judicial system which simply does not respond. Law enforcement says its hands are tied in going after
BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
The short answer to that rhetorical question is YES, and not just in Crescent City and Del Norte County but up and down the Golden State, according to many in the community including across the board law enforcement. Doug Cairns is a life-long Del Norter and career commercial fisherman in Crescent City. Unfortunately, he’s seen some not so welcome changes in Del Norte. Crime is growing worse and Cairns believes criminals are becoming more emboldened in what used to be felony behavior but has been reduced to misdemeanor or infraction status in modern day California. Doug has a fisherman’s warehouse on Elk Valley Road at a little known street called South Bend. Break-ins, thefts and rampant drug abuse and even an occasional dead body are common along Elk Valley Road. Recently, a vehicle was set afire on South Bend, with the flames narrowly avoiding his
Photo by Roger Gitlin/The Triplicate
Along Elk Valley Road, discarded shopping carts and trash are a normal sight as the homeless and others increase criminal activity Please see CRIMINALS, Page A12 in the area.
Service over self
Contributed photo
Rafters flock to the Smith River during the annual Gasquet Raft Race.
Gasquet Raft races will be a bit different this year New fire captains
Photo by Roger Gitlin/The Triplicate
Fire Chief Kevin Carey addressing the city council while introducing the newly-appointed captains, from left, Beau Smith, Everett Buell and Jason Borges.
al manner the public expects. Instead, a day of fun and relaxing will be hosted and sponsored by American Legion Post 548 in Gasquet, according to Post Commander Jamie Brassard.
BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
The 54th annual Gasquet Raft Races will not take place this year, at least not in the tradition-
The substitute event will take place Saturday, July 8, from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Commander Brassard invites
Please see RAFT, Page A12
Harbor Commission remains mum on arbitration decision BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
The Crescent City Harbor District (CCHD) held its scheduled meeting, last Tuesday. Notably absent from the agenda was any mention or public discussion of the arbitrator’s decision in favor of Fashion Blacksmith. The Triplicate spoke from the public dais and asked three questions of commissioners: • When do you plan to agendize either in a special meeting or regular meeting the $ 2 million lawsuit decision against the Harbor?
Photo by Roger Gitlin/For The Triplicate
The Crescent City Harbor Commission has not publicly discussed an arbitrator’s Please see HARBOR, Page A2 decision in favor of Fashion Blacksmith.
INDEX
Phone Number: 707-460-6727
Community Calendar
A2
Crossword Puzzle Opinion Classifieds
Crossword Answers
A5 A6 A9
BY ROGER GITLIN The Triplicate
Service over self was the overwhelming theme as three new captains were appointed to Crescent Fire and Rescue. Measure S funding has allowed for the hiring of these career fire and rescue positions. CFPD Fire Chief Kevin Carey delivered the hiring announcement of Everett Buell, Jason Borges and Beau Smith at Tuesday’s city council meeting. The one percent sales tax increase is funding the captains’ positions. Everett Buell is the youngest of the captains at 31. Everett is a product of Kneeland (east of Eureka), is an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a ten-year volunteer with Kneeland Fire serving as firefighter, engineer,
captain and captain II positions. Jason Borges is a Crescent City native. Before his CFPD captain appointment, Jason was the senior fleet mechanic with the city and brings along 13 years of professional experience. He is a certified ASE master heavy truck technician and a California State certified fire mechanic. Jason Borges is a seven-year fire volunteer and holds the rank of captain, all while being an EMT. Beau Smith is a local-born and bred Del Norter and career logger. Smith is also a 17-year career volunteer fireman who recently served as a Crescent City councilor. Smith acknowledges the opportunity to serve as a “dream come true.” Each captain will enter a yearlong probationary period and will work a two-day, 48-hour shift with four days off.
• Address: 501 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net Latest news can be found online at:
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Send us your news, photos, and videos and let us know what's going on!
A2
introduced to Crescent City council
TriplicateNews1@CountryMedia.net
@TheTriplicate
www.Triplicate.com
$1.50