The City of Coos Bay has received several "citizen concern" calls related to unauthorized activities within John Topits Park. It appears individuals are entering the park after closure and removing trees without permission from the City. The park, its trees, and all other park assets are owned by the City of Coos Bay and therefore owned by the citizens of our city. This theft from the citizens is in violation of ORS 164.813, "Unlawful cutting and transport of special forest products." Also known as harvesting, which means to separate by cutting, digging, prying, picking, peeling, breaking, pulling, splitting or otherwise removing a special forest product from: (A) its physical connection or point of contact with the ground or vegetation upon which it was growing; or (B) the place or position where it lay.

Citizens are encouraged to call the Coos Bay Police Department non-emergency at (541) 269-8911 or Coos Crime Stop at (541)267-6666 if they suspect any unlawful harvesting of trees within our city parks.