Crime Prevention

Visiting the national forest can be a wonderful experience, and whatever your activity, chances are there may be other people in the area. Precautionary guidelines can reduce your vulnerability and prevent crimes.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Call these numbers to report a crime on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, or use our electronic form.

• 911 (Always in an emergency)
• Whatcom County Sheriff's Office 360-676-6650
• Skagit County Sheriff's Office 360-336-9450
• Snohomish County Sheriff's Office 425-388-3393
• King County Sheriff's Office 206-296-4155
• Pierce County Sheriff's Office 253-798-7530
• Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife 877-933-9847

What crimes are committed in our forests?
Theft of timber and other forest products; arson; vandalism of private and government property; damaging Forest Service campsites, roads, or trails; and illegal drug sales and manufacturing are just some examples. These are crimes prosecutable under both federal and state laws. These laws protect the forest's biodiversity, scenic views, water, soil and the cultural and heritage aspects of the forests.

Where and when do forest crimes occur?
Illegal activities can take place anywhere and at any time, but usually occur later in the evening or on weekends.

What to Look for:
ATVs operating off of established roads or trails.
Suspicious activities in the woods in the evening and on weekends, especially forest products being loaded into pickups or vans.
Rental vans in the forest where they would not normally be.
Campfires in locations that they should not be or left unattended.
Bright lights on hillsides at night.
Chainsaws running in the middle of the night or on weekends.
Dumping of household or commercial trash.
Anyone damaging a forest service recreation site or trail or deliberately setting a fire.

Observe and Record:
If you believe you have witnessed a crime, do not approach the person and do not take a photo of them! Instead observe what they are doing, record it on paper and report it to the authorities.
When you report a tip, you will be asked to provide information such as a description of the person(s), a description of their vehicle or vessel, any registration or distinguishing logo (car rental identifier, license plate), what they are doing, when, and where.