Consent Item 3f
STAFF REPORT
City Council Consent Item
DATE: August 18, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Matthew A. Eberhardt, Interim Chief of Police
THROUGH: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Police Department Monthly Report for July 2025 STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive report as an informational item.
Patrol Statistics:
During the month of July 2025, the Fortuna Police handled 1,398 calls for service. 63 arrests were made including 9 felony arrests and 54 misdemeanor arrests. A total of 48 citations were issued for traffic offenses or other miscellaneous violations. Crime statistics and information on calls for service are available at forpd.crimegraphics.com.
Staffing:
• Recruitment Update: A lateral retired annuitant reserve law enforcement officer with local area experience is progressing through the pre-employment background investigation process.
• Two Police Officer Trainees successfully completed the College of the Redwoods Police Academy and entered the Field Training Program as Sworn Police Officers. • Staffing and Recruitment: The department currently has three vacant sworn officer positions and is actively recruiting to fill these positions. • Operational Impact: Due to ongoing training requirements for Police Officer in the Field Training Program, existing sworn officer vacancies, and one employee on unanticipated leave, the department is operating with six fewer sworn patrol officers than authorized staffing levels. In response to this significant shortfall, the “staffing crisis” and mandatory weekly overtime for sworn personnel remains in effect.
• Two non-sworn positions, a part-time Community Services Officer position and a parttime Kennel Attendant position became vacant during the month.
Enforcement/Community Engagement:
• Many large-scale events occurred during the month, requiring police department personnel and resources. These events included, Fortuna Fireworks Festival, Fortuna Rodeo Events and Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo. The department utilized mutual aid to help provide police services for these events. The following agencies provided mutual aid. Alcohol Beverage Control, California Highway Patrol, Rio Dell Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, Humboldt County Sherriff’s Office, Eureka Police Department, Humboldt County Probation Department, Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office Investigators, Cal Fire Law Enforcement, California State Parks Law Enforcement and Arcata Police Department. The Fortuna Police Department greatly appreciates their assistance.
Consent Item 3f
• Fortuna Police Department K9 fundraising efforts were conducted during Fortuna Rodeo events. K9 supporter merchandise was sold for donations. Mayor Pro Tem Trent also collected donations while volunteering at the Rodeo events. • In addition to the mutual aid mentioned for the July events, our department staff worked a significant amount of overtime to ensure these large events were safe and successful.
Fortuna Fireworks Festival department employees worked 51.5 hours of overtime. Rodeo Events department employees worked 321.5 hours of overtime. Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo department employees worked 33.25 hours of overtime.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
Receive Police Department Monthly Report (July). Consent Agenda vote.