Chief Holste addresses waterfront incident

HOOD RIVER — Public comment opened the Aug. 19 Port of Hood River regular session, and residents voiced concerns about a man who was accused of taking photos of children at Frog Beach near Nichols Basin in late July. At the meeting, two City of Hood River Police officers accompanied Chief Neal Holste to address the incident. A copy of the July 28 police report detailed the interaction and is available in the agenda.

The report states a “suspicious male” wearing a red shirt and khaki shorts was caught allegedly taking photos or video of young beach-goers. According to the meeting agenda, the man was also wearing black markings on his face, reportedly attempting to resemble facial hair, which “added to public concern.” The Hood River Police Department dispatched officers at 6:34 p.m. on July 28. Officers contacted the man who said he was taking “scenery photos.” According to the report, officers said the subject understood that “not much could be done, but keeps coming back.” At Tuesday’s meeting, Holste said the man voluntarily gave his phone to officers so they could inspect, and confirmed officers did find photos and videos of what Holste described as“kids playing on the waterfront.”Officers suggested the man delete the images, which he did. Officers did not cite or arrest the subject. The man left the waterfront area about 15 minutes after officers arrived.

“You call, we respond,”Holste said to the audience.

He added that detectives did their due diligence on the individual and found nothing on his record or any other indication that he has ever been charged or convicted.

Unable to formally remove the subject at the time, the Port of Hood River said they would look into “options and preferences to lawfully manage similar situations should they arise on Port property in the future.” At the Aug. 19 meeting, Greenwood said there was no criminal violation and no code that would’ve allowed the port to trespass the individual.

Legal counsel for the port said there is a lot of constraints against the port because they are a government entity. Commissioners were split on creating new rules regarding photography on port property. Some suggested the port build privacy shelters or hire security for the port properties. Hiring a security guard could cost $200,000.

Commissioners asked staff to look into the matter.

In other news

Port Finance Director Debbie Smith-Wagar presented the annual budget ending June 30, and said the port operated within their budget for all appropriations. According to her, traffic counts were up 1.59%, but unforeseen circumstances — like the 2024 truck accident that closed the bridge for a couple days and the recent Rowena Fire — made it difficult to compare year-over-year. The port is expecting to receive the insurance payout from the June 2024 truck accident sometime in November.

In April, the port transitioned to fully electronic tolling and have received input from customers. According to Greenwood’s executive director report, “It has become clear that, to improve customer service, we need to give customers more time and more notification regarding toll invoices.” Revisiting the invoice process, the port will send an initial invoice 14 days after the crossing. If not paid, another invoice will arrive 30 days later with a $3 administrative fee. A final reminder and $25 late fee will be sent 30 days after before the customer is sent to collections.

The contract for Jeff Renard, Ken Jernstedt Airfield manager, expired and the port will need to begin a competitive bridge process or adopt a resolution for an exemption to the process. The port has hired Megan Channel as the waterfront coordinator and she began work Aug. 25. Read more about the port in the Summer 2025 newsletter, available at www.portofhoodriver.com/summer-2025-newsletter.

Port statement

In a statement to Columbia Gorge News, Greenwood said, “Hood River Police did not issue a citation, as they found no crime had occurred. In response to concerns from parents, the city advised that the port could consider trespassing the individual if he violated port rules. Currently, the port does not have code provisions — separate from those of city, state, or federal law — that directly address this type of situation. We are actively reviewing potential updates to the port code. However, if law enforcement determines no crime has been committed, any changes we propose must balance public safety with the protection of constitutional rights.”