Raccoon Call and Park Marijuana Complaint Top Sagamore Hills Police Blotter

Two incident reports from the Sagamore Hills Police Department give a look at calls in the Summit County township on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8. One call was about wildlife. The other came from the township park, where a caller reported a man smoking marijuana. Animal Calls Officer Responds to Ailing Raccoon, Oct. 7 The first call came in Wednesday evening, Oct. 7, at 7:51 p.m. A caller on Walton Road told police a raccoon appeared to be sick or injured. Dispatch sent a sergeant at 7:54 p.m., and he was on scene by 7:59 p.m. He located the raccoon in an open area that the report classifies as a field, lot or woods. His narrative states the animal “was located and humanely dispatched.” The report codes the call as an animal complaint along with a firearm discharge. By 8:22 p.m., the call was cleared. Drug Complaints Caller Reports Marijuana Smoking in Township Park, Oct. 8 Thursday afternoon, Oct. 8, brought a call to police at 4:19 p.m. The caller said a man was smoking marijuana inside the township park on Valley View Road. Officers were dispatched at 4:22 p.m. All three arrived at the park by 4:24 p.m. Police documented the case as drug abuse under Ohio Revised Code 2925.11. Marijuana is recorded as property, with a quantity of one listed. The report also includes a gray 2024 Mazda. With no individual victim, “society” is entered as the victim, a common practice for drug cases. Nothing in the report indicates whether a citation or charge followed. Officers wrapped up at the park at 4:47 p.m. Know the Rules Where Marijuana Use Is Not Allowed in Ohio Adult-use marijuana became legal in Ohio after voters approved it in November 2023. That approval did not extend to public spaces. Smoking or using marijuana in a park, on a sidewalk or in other public areas remains off limits. Legal use is limited to private property. Wildlife Concerns Raccoons that look sick, confused or injured should be left alone. Pets should be kept inside until the animal is handled. Sagamore Hills residents can report these situations to police. Contacting Sagamore Hills Police The department’s office number is 330-467-3515. Headquarters sits on Valley View Road in the township. Anyone with an emergency should call 911.