police chief

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are two topics that fills the City Council chambers: Marijuana and Vacation Home Rentals (VHR). Interested residents and other stakeholders in the City's proposed changes to the VHR ordinance not only filled chambers, but filled seats surrounding televisions in the lobby where the proceedings were aired.

After almost six hours of presentation and conversation, the City Council voted to bring back the new ordinance in one month on October 5.

"Our job is to make a decision, not continuing to kick the can down the road," said SLT Mayor Austin Sass.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - What does a win-win-win vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance look like?

It may not yet be known after today's workshop held during the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting in front of a full house, but all sides appear to be committed to creating something that works for everyone in the community.

Cities across the country are grappling with their own ordinances for VHRs as the new trend towards vacationing centers around renting a home instead of staying in a motel or hotel.

I took a couple of field trips this month related to learning more about cannabis and how it may affect our city if retail, commercial grows, testing, and edible production are implemented. I learned a lot and will share some of the highlights with you.

The first trip was to Breckenridge, a visit I piggybacked on top of a wedding I attended in Vail. I met with their Mayor, City Manager (formerly the police chief) and the assistant city manager. We met for two hours and our talk was primarily centered on their experiences with the legalization of cannabis in Breckenridge.

The community is in for a treat on Saturday, May 20 as the South Lake Tahoe Police Department celebrates 50 years of service with a party at Lakeview Commons from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Locals and visitors, young and old, can ride on the SLTPD boat, see the department's K-9s, watch a demonstration over the water with CalStar at 3:00 p.m., watch how the drone assists in rescues, an awards ceremony that will honor three citizens as well as staff at 4:00 p.m., and a free BBQ. There is also a free concert on the beach.

There was one thing all speakers during Wednesday evening's Town Hall on recreational cannabis agreed on: People need to get involved, educate themselves and share their opinions with their elected leaders at local, county and state levels.

A panel of six people spoke to the crowd of almost 100 people (and another 300 who were viewing online) during the Tahoe Regional Young Professionals (TRYP) fourth Town Hall meeting in South Lake Tahoe.

Representatives from several agencies met with the public Thursday night at El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel's second community meeting to discuss traffic issues and the "invasion of neighborhoods" by non-local drivers.

The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) wants families to know that, no matter what their immigration status is, South Lake Tahoe schools are a safe zone and all students are provided access to education.

Community members spoke before LTUSD trustees Tuesday, showing their support for all families and students in the district in light of President Trump's focus on immigrants. They asked the Board to take a strong and public stance against hate and to openly proclaim schools to be safe for all students, no matter their color, religion, nationality or immigration status.

To the community:

I am so proud to have been part of the Bi-State Women's March on Saturday. And I am proud that Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe sanctioned the opportunity for 500 women, men and children to march, not as a protest, but in unison to affirm that "women's rights are human rights".

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) would like to thank the City of South Lake Tahoe for their preparedness in the face of severe weather last week. As one volunteer commented, “Everyone at the City of South Lake Tahoe was very nice, helpful, and willing.”

"We will continue to stay open," said Cody Bass, founder and executive director of the Tahoe Wellness Cooperative after being told by the City Council Tuesday that he no longer has a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Permit to operate in South Lake Tahoe. "We are going to take this to the end."

One of his lawyers, James Anthony added, "They will be reviewing this decision in Superior Court."

Noel Farmer, a South Lake Tahoe resident, has been a vocal opponent to Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs) in his Heavenly Valley neighborhood. Farmer is present at City Council and Planning Commission meetings, as well as Zoning Administrator meetings when the topic is VHRs.

During this Tuesday's meeting at the airport, the City Council members will discuss Farmer's petition to ban street parking on the dead-end street where he lives, Regina Road, in the 3600 and 3700 blocks.

For the past several months there has been no official SLEDNET servicing the South Shore, and today it was announced that the drug task force that has been serving the community since 1988 has dissolved.

Marijuana Brownie Incident - During the last weekend of July, a group of women visited South Lake Tahoe for a bachelorette party. During the visit, the women willfully ingested marijuana brownies they obtained through a ride-share company. Within a few hours, 10 of the women were taken to the emergency room in South Lake Tahoe. Eight of the ten were later admitted to the hospital for treatment. While many would have you believe marijuana is a harmless drug, those of us in the public safety arena have seen increases in medical emergencies from marijuana ingestion.

What does a police officer do after they retire?

Hunt for Bigfoot, of course.

That is what South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Donna Kingman said she'll be doing after hanging up her shield after 29 years of working in the community. Her official last day is April 30, but Thursday was her last shift working in uniform.

Of course, she won't be hunting for Bigfoot in cold, shaded areas as she'll be seeking sun and a life of being "footloose and fancy free."

Mountain Resort Television reporter Ashley Lindner interviews the City of South Lake Tahoe's Chief of Police, Brian Uhler, and the Chair of the Drug Free Coalition, Hannah Greenstreet, about the Control, Regulate, & Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act.

PDF of proposed initiative.

It was a very short South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda Tuesday, but one that brought out passionate comments on the dais, and what one witness called "bickering."

The lone new business item was for the creation of a City policy where local parades are concerned, an item requested to be placed on the agenda by Councilmember JoAnn Conner.

Police Department 50th Anniversary As you might expect, once the City was incorporated in 1965, it took some time to create a police department. On July 1, 1967 the police department began providing police services to the City. In 2017,we’ll plan a small public 50th celebration at the police department. Our initial plans include hosting and honoring some of the department’s original members. Over the years there have been many changes. Some points of interest include:

Tragedy at the Police Department. The department is deeply appreciative of the support given to the family of Mark Hounsell who was killed, along with his wife Jeanne and her friend Laura Fisher, in a motor vehicle accident. They are survived by 4 children who have been the recipients of beautiful and heartfelt support from the entire community. The fund for the Children is now approaching the goal of $130,000. See this at: https://www.gofundme.com/hounsellchildren

Nevada Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly single-vehicle rollover that occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday night that took the life of South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Mark Hounsell and his wife Jeanne, and one other person.

The NHP confirmed Sunday afternoon that three people died in the accident.

Like many Americans, law enforcement folks have been deeply moved by the horrific images we have seen in Oregon. A certain feeling of helplessness has become the norm when we look at these events from the prevention perspective. We may ask questions like:

“Why do people who would do such a thing have access to a gun?”
“Why didn’t people who knew the shooter do something to stop him before people died?”

The community has had an opportunity all summer to meet with the South Lake Tahoe Police Chief, Lieutenants and Sergeants this summer during their "Coffee With a Cop" series which is held ever Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Starbucks near Stateline.

These meetings give locals and visitors the chance to meet the officers and help shape our policing efforts in South Lake Tahoe. People are encouraged to stop by and share what’s going on in your neighborhood, what you are concerned about, and of course they’re happy to hear good news as well.

Community Outreach: The “Meet the Police” outreach campaign is going well. As a reminder, Coffee with a Cop happens on Thursdays and ends on August 27th. The Police Open House was well attended and we look forward to doing it again next year.

The name of the South Lake Tahoe Police Officer involved in the June 15 shooting of 22-year-old Kris Jackson has been released.

Officer Joshua Klinge was the officer who responded to a 2:40 a.m. call about a woman screaming and crying at the Tahoe Hacienda Inn on Lake Tahoe Blvd. The officer shot Jackson in the torso after feeling threatened according to earlier reports. Jackson died shortly afterwards at Barton Memorial Hospital.

For the month of June, we are planning kick off our “Meet the Police” outreach campaign. Two efforts—our Open House, and Coffee with a Cop will be starting in June. The police department strives to blend community service and protection of its residents. The more we hear from you, the better we are able to provide excellence in public service. Stop by and share what’s going on in your neighborhood, what you are concerned about, and of course we’re happy to hear good news as well.