Del Norte supervisors approve temporary road closures in South Bend to curb dumping, fires

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted a resolution authorizing temporary closures of several vehicle access points around South Bend, Bridal Street, Madison Avenue and National Boulevard, aiming to reduce illegal dumping, burned-out vehicles and public-safety incidents.

Supervisor Chris Short introduced the measure, saying aerial photos and on-the-ground inspections show “serious and continual criminal activity” and environmental hazards in the area, and noting the sheriff’s office reported 282 responses to the site in 2023. Short said the county would install forest-service–style gates at key entrances and place K-rail barriers where gates are not feasible. “This request is for a temporary closure of not more than 18 months,” Short said, adding closures could be extended if conditions do not improve.

The board was shown slides that identified proposed closure points, described access arrangements for utilities and emergency responders and provided cost estimates: roughly $5,400 per gate and about $1,200 for small quantities of K-rail (quoted as four pieces). Staff asked the board to allocate an initial $50,000 for barriers, installation and early monitoring, and said that if vandalism or continued efforts to defeat closures exhaust the funds, the board would return for additional funding.

Public comment was mixed. Several commercial fishermen and property owners described repeated fires and damage to gear storage areas and supported measures to reduce criminal activity and fires; one owner of a storage compound said he has been trying to clean up the site and asked for a key to maintain access. Other residents and outreach volunteers urged the county to include unhoused people and local cleanup groups in the plan, and several speakers warned that partial closures could be circumvented and urged enforcement and long-term solutions, not just barriers.

Supervisor Starkey opposed the resolution on the grounds that it is likely to be a temporary “band-aid” without sufficient deputy staffing and other enforcement to sustain improvements. Starkey said the measure could restrict access for residents and businesses and argued the county should prioritize increasing sheriff staffing. The motion carried 4–1; Starkey cast the lone no vote.

County staff and counsel said emergency services and utilities would retain keys to gates so medical access would not be impeded and that residents and property owners could pursue appeals for vehicle access where property rights exist. The board directed staff to proceed with the closures and initial purchases and to continue coordination with law enforcement, code enforcement and local stakeholders.

Next steps include installation of barriers at the sites identified in staff materials, continued community outreach about appeals and access, and follow-up reports to the board on enforcement, costs and any need for additional funding or operational changes.