I recognize this guy. I know many of you do. He knows me. Today, around 2:15, I went back to the Courthouse to check on some cases. Should have been 5 to 10 minutes; ended up being a half an hour of me trying to safely check what I could after no help from HCSO who were MIA. This impacted my entire afternoon because this miscreant hangs around the Courthouse.
I saw him hassling a young security guard at the 5th street entrance, berating him, refusing to comply with rules to enter the building. The young security guard was calm. There are only three security guards right now; one was on break; the other at the 4th street entrance.
There are many drunks, bums, addicts who have no business at the Courthouse but will say they have court; enter the building just to use the bathroom; trash the bathrooms; the room where the public computers are; charge their phones; get mouthy with security; me and wander around with no supervision. Being houseless isn't a crime. Being a jerk and being disrespectful and thinking the Courthouse is your personal toilet and destroying property that costs taxpayers, thinking rules and laws do not apply and threatening others is a crime.
I could have walked away. I didn't because the guy has created a scene before. He is unpredictable. There was no one around. I decided to take his photo because it looked like he was getting ready to hit the security guard or do something.
He called me "a terrorist." He said, "I know you. You want me to make waves?" My saying, I would call the police did not faze him. My saying I was going to get a bailiff did not faze him.
Of course he knows me. It is Todd Cravens. I have reported on him.
This is the brazen lawlessness that has been created by Democrats, California and it is even worse in Humboldt by the kumbaya enablers and soft on crime useless legislators.
I went to the second floor. Most courtrooms closed. No bailiffs around. The two criminal courtrooms open had jurors and no access the bailiff. Two family law courtrooms; one which has no access and the other is sometimes closed.
I knew HCSO Sgt. Comer was not there becsuse when he is; Sgt. Comer is walking around checking. Didn't recognize any of the bailiffs in the couple of courtrooms open. The break room where I have knocked before in an emergency, I could hear people, including a female bailiff who has a very a recognizable voice. They can see who is standing outside. They did not open the door. That is petty and unprofessional. I will be letting Sheriff William Honsal and Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell know what happened today. Even though I am not in her district, Supervisor Bushnell is accessible and responsive. Her constituents know this and I have heard positive feedback about her.
Cravens was now on the second floor just wandering around. I left and went downstairs. HCSO main office is closed on Fridays. Had I not known where to exit; this guy could have done anything he wanted.
The County and Courts need to have a policy in place where it isn't a free for all at the Courthouse. 825 5th street isn't a homeless shelter.
HCSO is contracted to provide security for the courts. That does not cover outside the courtrooms, you cannot take photos or video on the second floor to document if you are in danger and there are parties there daily with restraining orders, criminals out of custody just wandering around with no safeguards. People in family law or restraining orders screaming at each other while court is in session.
If people have a court date, they need to have some documentation with them as proof to enter the building and the second floor. Security, even HCSO knows who County and Court employees are. I have suggested several times that HCSO issue a media press badge even though security and law enforcement know who I am. It can be a simple HCSO sticker on the press badges we have to make for ourselves in Humboldt if cost is an issue for the County.
Since Humboldt Courts and County of Humboldt are discussing security and funding; they should discuss these issues.
When there was a power outage, we were questioned by security where we were headed. Even if that was implemented for a month right now; it would deter troublemakers.
It has become dangerous for me to walk at all in Eureka on 4th street between B and L and 5th street between H and L. The area between H and L is where the Courthouse is located and many other places for work and errands. I did a post in February 4th street and it resonated with many of you and business owners. The comments were positive and supportive.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/02/shout-out-to-epd-thumbs-down-to-useless.html?m=1
City Hall in Eureka does not have security and other than public meetings; you have to conduct business to be allowed access to the lobby. Access to the second or third floor is rare.
I was upset about the change but after the last few months and what I deal with multiple times a day and every day at the Humboldt County Courthouse; the City of Eureka policy is something the County and Courts need to implement.
I already told a City of Eureka Councilmember about certain problem areas on 4th street between J and L. I gave specific addresses on 4th street and a gas station. I suggested some ideas which would reduce the number of calls to EPD, get property owners some incentives and improve safety and peace for Eureka downtown residents.
While she is not my Ward Councilmember, she is responsive. I cannot wait for Ward 1 Leslie Castellano to end her term. She is the most useless elected official in Humboldt County unless it is her clique and someone she knows.
There will always be backlash from the enablers, the activists, the property owners and others not affected by the issues that plague downtown Eureka. They are the obstructionists to anything positive in Eureka and Humboldt. If City of Eureka tries to improve the situation, there will be certain Democrats and Republicans who will be obstacles.
The County and City of Eureka have enough lawsuits. They need to stop this 24/7 loitering where people cannot go to the store, walk on the sidewalk or feel safe at a Courthouse.
