A Letter to Brookings Police

Are the Berg's Above the Law?

Dear Brookings Police Department,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the ongoing harassment I have experienced from my neighbors, the Bergs, and the troubling response—or lack thereof—from the Brookings Police Department.

The day after I arrived in Brookings in May of 2025 to begin work on the property I purchased—after selling my beloved home of nearly 20 years in Santa Barbara—I was met with intimidation. While walking into Cascade Hardware on Highway 101, Tiffany Berg drove her large white SUV into the parking lot, waved at me in a menacing manner, and then exited without stopping. Although I attempted to capture a photo of this deliberate act, she quickly drove away. I later managed to photograph her vehicle at the stoplight as it turned onto the 101. Tiffany did not stop to shop at the store but only drove through the parking lot to harass me.

Subsequently, Tiffany played the audio of my 2023 city council presentation—where I advocated for outdoor light statute—over her loudspeaker, just as she did repeatedly in 2024 over and over, and in October of 2023.

However, despite her blatant attempts to harass me through noise, the police failed to cite her. I was forced to file a private complaint, costing me $1,500 in legal expenses and travel, while she received only a $100 fine. I have a recording of that municipal court hearing with Judge Milliman, during which I witnessed an alarming bias. Additionally, an unrelated police officer was presented as a witness for the Bergs, despite never being disclosed to me in advance—a move I successfully challenged. A Good Neighbor Outdoor Light Statute

Also, on June 18, 2024, a drone was flown near my head by the Berg’s—an incident I reported to the police. But rather than investigate, I was berated by the police even though evidence later revealed that Tiffany’s drone was unregistered and was used to take invasive photos of my property, including the interior of my shed—a clear violation of my privacy and FAA guidelines. The timing is verifiable, as her submitted images she made to the city of Brookings to falsely accuse me of modifying my septic without a permit, shows my car with a U-Haul I returned the next day. Still, no action was taken. A Drone and False Allegations

Just yesterday, despite nearly two years of my complaints about the Bergs' floodlight that illuminates my home and property throughout the night, where I have given two presentation to the city council and the planning commission in 2023 and 2024, multiple officers responded immediately at the request of the Berg’s to document a light I installed that happens to shine on their property, like how their light shines on my property. The police have never offered to come and document the impact of their light on my property. The stark contrast in response is indefensible, especially since installing a light is NOT a crime - there is no outdoor light statute in Brookings. Light Pollution

This pattern of selective enforcement began when I first encountered the Bergs videotaping me on my own property. Contrary to the police report, which falsely claimed the Bergs began recording only after Robert Berg threatened me, their publicly posted TikTok video shows they were already set up to film me when I walked down to the lower part of my property, declaring I had no right to be on my own land. Their comment: “If you don’t want to be videotaped, don’t come down here,” speaks volumes. Defamation

Further reports I've filed—about reckless driving by Tiffany and Robert to tail and film me recklessly on highway 101, and possible fence damage indicating someone crossed from their side—have also been ignored.

The Brookings Police Department’s double standard in favor of the Bergs has emboldened their continuous harassment and puts my safety at risk. This letter serves as a call for accountability and an end to the bias that has allowed this situation to escalate unchecked.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Kelmar