Residents and licensed cannabis workers ask Humboldt supervisors to review coalition-funded helicopter surveillance
June 16, 2026 | Humboldt County, California
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Several residents and licensed cannabis workers urged the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on June 16 to place a public review of the Northern California Coalition to Safeguard Communities (NCCSC) on a future agenda after recent aerial surveillance over southern Humboldt properties.
Riley Morrison, a Willow Creek resident, said that a black enforcement helicopter repeatedly circled rural properties and that many targeted residents were legal, permitted cannabis operators: “When they see this kind of operation it doesn't build confidence, it creates anxiety,” Morrison said, asking the board to schedule a transparent review of the county’s participation, program effectiveness and the source of funding.
Sarah Shipley, who identified herself as a worker on a licensed cannabis farm, told the board the coalition’s aerial activity was “not what that program is supposed to be doing” and argued that licensed farms face multiple layers of state oversight and that circling permitted farms “accomplishes nothing except harassment of legal businesses.”
Ross Gordon of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance echoed callers and requested coalition data about the geographic scope and number of violations the coalition is addressing. Callers referenced public reporting that the NCCSC’s activities are funded by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and said the public deserves an accounting of whether such funding and tactics align with county priorities.
No board motion on the matter was made during the meeting; several callers asked the board to agendaize the issue. Board members acknowledged the public concern but did not adopt a specific next step during the session.
Riley Morrison, a Willow Creek resident, said that a black enforcement helicopter repeatedly circled rural properties and that many targeted residents were legal, permitted cannabis operators: “When they see this kind of operation it doesn't build confidence, it creates anxiety,” Morrison said, asking the board to schedule a transparent review of the county’s participation, program effectiveness and the source of funding.
Sarah Shipley, who identified herself as a worker on a licensed cannabis farm, told the board the coalition’s aerial activity was “not what that program is supposed to be doing” and argued that licensed farms face multiple layers of state oversight and that circling permitted farms “accomplishes nothing except harassment of legal businesses.”
Ross Gordon of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance echoed callers and requested coalition data about the geographic scope and number of violations the coalition is addressing. Callers referenced public reporting that the NCCSC’s activities are funded by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and said the public deserves an accounting of whether such funding and tactics align with county priorities.
No board motion on the matter was made during the meeting; several callers asked the board to agendaize the issue. Board members acknowledged the public concern but did not adopt a specific next step during the session.
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