Connect with us

Uncategorized

Medford Police make 11 arrests as Hawthorne Park camp comes down

Published

on

The clearing of Hawthorne Park began on Tuesday morning, as Medford Police followed up on a 24-hour notice that campers would need to leave.

At 8 a.m., officers and clean-up crews from Medford Parks arrived to close down the park and clear out those who remained.

“Pursuant to Medford Charter Section 18(3)(e), the City Manager has ordered the closure of Hawthorne Park for at least 48 hours to allow for sanitation, cleaning, and inspection of City property,” MPD said in a post, referring back to the 24-hour notice posted on Monday.

The agency said that by 11:15 a.m., officers had arrested 11 people for “various reasons,” including trespassing or outstanding warrants.

Among those arrested was 32-year-old April Fonseca, a reporter who works for Jefferson Public Radio (JPR) under the name April Ehrlich. The radio station confirmed her arrest on Tuesday, saying that she’d been on the scene since early in the morning to cover Medford Police’s anticipated clearing of the camp.

While Fonseca appeared on the Jackson County Jail log as of 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, no charges had yet been added. JPR reported that she is accused of “interfering with a peace officer, 2nd degree trespassing, and resisting arrest.”

Lt. Mike Budreau with Medford Police told NewsWatch 12 that the park was closed to the public at 8 a.m. when officers arrived to begin the sweep. By that point, people were not allowed to enter Hawthorne Park “unless they were removing their belongings.”

An officer approached Fonseca in the parking lot and told her to go to a media staging area at the park entrance on Main Street, Budreau said.

“After April declined to go the media staging area, she proceeded to enter the park against numerous officer’s orders and was placed under arrest for violating the closure of the park,” Budreau continued. “Please note, members of the media have had full access to the park up until the public closure and the media staging location was well within view of the officers’ interactions with campers.”

Budreau did not answer whether the charges against Fonseca will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for prosecution.

Medford Police said after serving its 24-hour notice on Monday that its Livability Team had worked with Rogue Retreat to set up 34 people with shelter services, while two more were taken to the Almeda Fire evacuee shelter at the Expo. Three dozen others camping at the park refused services, according to the agency.

Rogue Retreat was once again present on Tuesday to connect with people who decided to seek shelter or other resources, Medford Police said. The agency did not indicate if anyone else was connected with those services.

“We did not encounter anyone who lost their house due to the Almeda Drive Fire during this morning’s efforts,” MPD said.

You may also like…

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Police Department hosts family-friendly Halloween event at Marquis Assisted Living

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police Department is partnering with The Marquis Assisted Living and Memory Care to host a safe,...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to two-vehicle crash at 13th and Polk

Eugene, OR – Just after 2 p.m. on Friday, October 4, Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a two-vehicle crash at...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire contained structure fire at Brails restaurant early Sunday

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a reported structure fire at Brails restaurant near downtown Eugene just before...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire joined community for annual fire safety event at Jerry’s

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire partnered with the community at the annual Jerry’s Home Improvement fire safety event held...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Man who cIaimed he had ingested iIIegaI drugs that were not what he expected and bIamed his actions on their effects after using a heavy tooI to strike his spouse, infIicting fataI injuries, the second maritaI partner he kiIIed, is sentenced

Massachusetts – A Massachusetts man was ordered to spend the next twenty five years to Iife in state prison after...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Dad who cIaimed he was often not at home and able to deaI with daiIy tasks because of his job after his chiId was Ieft to fend for herseIf untiI her untimeIy death from a preventabIe medicaI condition, was convicted

Indiana – An Indiana parent, 39-year-old B. BredhoId, was convicted earlier this week by a jury for negIect of a dependent...

Oregon1 week ago

Oregon State Police seek public’s help after 16 salmon dumped at Cathedral Park

Oregon –  The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Police Department to host officer hiring workshop October 4

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department will host a Police Officer Hiring Workshop on Saturday, October 4, at 11:00...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Airport expands non-stop services ahead of fall and winter travel season

Eugene, OR – As fall and winter approach, Eugene Airport announced expanded non-stop services and additional travel options for passengers....

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Mom, who was seen by her chiId pIacing toiIet paper in her disabIed 8-year-oId’s mouth before the chiId was struck in the head by her girIfriend, resuIting in fataI injuries, before both women took steps to conceaI the death and dispose of the body, was sentenced

Georgia – A Georgia woman was ordered to spend the rest of her Iife behind bars after pIeading guiIty to...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

5-year-oId dies after her father, who initially thought that she had been stabbed, stored a rifIe in her sibIing’s bedroom beIieving it would be safe, only for the 9-year-old to gain access to the unsecured firearm and fire a singIe shot, kiIIing the little girI: DA

Arizona – An Arizona man has been lndicted on feIony charges of chiId abuse, domestic vioIence, and misconduct involving a...

Trending