The Island Blotter

San Juan County Sheriff's Log — Powered by dad humor

Source: Islands Sounder

Week of Aug 5

An Orcas deputy investigated a theft, which we can only assume was someone's prized collection of something very important to them.

Aug 7, 2024 Theft
Week of Jan 22

An Eastsound deputy took a lost wallet report in Eastsound, because apparently even on an island, wallets still manage to go missing.

Jan 24, 2024 Eastsound Other
Week of Dec 26

An Orcas deputy responded to a Discovery Way disturbance and discovered the only crime was poor communication—thankfully, no charges filed.

Dec 30, 2022 Discovery Way Disturbance

A harassed caller decided they'd rather have peace than press charges, so a deputy helped them navigate the no-contact order process and showed them the legal way to say "please leave me alone."

Dec 30, 2022 Disturbance

An Orcas deputy checked on a subject's welfare on Rosehip Road and, respecting their autonomy, left them to their own devices after offering assistance.

Dec 30, 2022 Rosehip Road Medical

A Lopez driver discovered that ditches are not ideal off-road parking spots, though fortunately a helpful friend and the laws of physics conspired to reunite vehicle and pavement without incident.

Dec 30, 2022 Traffic

A Lopez deputy ticketed a vehicle parked in front of a No Parking sign at Agate Beach Park, because apparently snow provides excellent camouflage for reading comprehension skills.

Dec 29, 2022 Traffic

A deputy checked on a Rosehip Road resident's wellbeing, found them fine, and filed a report confirming that yes, this person exists and is doing okay.

Dec 29, 2022 Rosehip Road Medical

Two vehicles met in Friday Harbor under icy conditions and nobody was hurt, proving that even collisions follow the island's motto: "We're all just sliding along together."

Dec 29, 2022 Friday Harbor Traffic
Week of Dec 12

An Eastsound call turned out to be all bark and no bite—verbal only, no crimes committed.

Dec 13, 2022 Eastsound Domestic

A San Juan driver learned the hard way that 61 in a 45 is not a math problem—it's a citation.

Dec 13, 2022 Traffic

Both parties left the scene with valid licenses, insurance, and the knowledge that collisions require paperwork.

Dec 13, 2022 Traffic

Two pickup trucks met on San Juan Island and decided to become better acquainted—both drivers had valid licenses and insurance, so at least somebody was prepared.

Dec 13, 2022 Traffic

A San Juan market manager called in a shoplifter they'd caught on camera, and a trespass warning letter was issued—because nothing says "please don't steal from us again" quite like official paperwork.

Dec 12, 2022 Theft

Someone stole a street sign on San Juan, proving that the only thing more elusive than a street sign is whoever took it, as deputies had no workable leads or suspects at the time.

Dec 12, 2022 Theft

A San Juan resident called to report her brother missing, then called back moments later to say never mind—he was found and doing just fine, which we assume means he wasn't actually missing, just thoroughly lost in his own life.

Dec 12, 2022 Animal
Week of Nov 28

A Lopez resident reported that their niece in California fell for a Facebook scam promising federal grant money—turns out, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam.

Dec 1, 2022 Fraud

A San Juan resident received threatening text messages and reached out to find out how to fight back legally—turns out, blocks and authorities work better than replying in all caps.

Dec 1, 2022 Disturbance

Two Friday Harbor residents discovered that their property line dispute was just a case of "you're on my side" versus "no, YOU'RE on my side"—turns out, neither was committing a crime.

Dec 1, 2022 Friday Harbor Trespass

A San Juan deputy took a theft report from sometime in the last three months, which is a wide window for someone to have really committed to the heist.

Nov 30, 2022 Theft

A San Juan business experienced vandalism involving a broken window, which is unfortunate because glass is notoriously terrible at pressing charges.

Nov 30, 2022 Vandalism

A Lopez parent reported that their child was being repeatedly approached by an unfamiliar older man offering rides—a serious safety concern that law enforcement is actively investigating.

Nov 30, 2022 Other

An Orcas resident discovered that black ice is nature's way of saying "your car goes where it wants now" after sliding off the roadway.

Nov 30, 2022 Other

A student's claim of possessing a knife during an altercation at school resulted in faculty intervention, a weapon seizure, and an ongoing investigation that takes this matter very seriously.

Nov 30, 2022 Disturbance
Week of Jul 4

A boater off San Juan got a BUI courtesy of another agency, who made the initial arrest and did most of the heavy lifting before handing off the case.

Jul 4, 2022 Other

A man in Friday Harbor was having a very verbal day in Friday Harbor until a deputy asked him to provide a breath sample per court orders, which he declined—a decision that will likely be discussed at length in a courtroom.

Jul 4, 2022 Friday Harbor Animal

A San Juan deputy issued a citation to a driver going 60 in a 45, because apparently that driver thought the speed limit was more of a suggestion than a legal boundary.

Jul 4, 2022 Traffic

The U.S. Coast Guard really knows how to make a splash in Roche Harbor—they detained a boat operator for BUI, proving that "staying afloat" means something very different when you're three sheets to the wind. Deputies took the individual into custody and transported them to San Juan County Jail, where the only thing they'll be navigating is their life choices.

Jul 4, 2022 Other

A San Juan deputy investigated a reported order violation and confirmed that yes, in fact, a court order had been violated, with the case now forwarded to the prosecutor.

Jul 4, 2022 Other

A San Juan driver learned the hard way that "fast and roundabout" isn't a personality type—clocked at 42 in a 25, they received a citation for their enthusiastic interpretation of speed limits.

Jul 4, 2022 Traffic