Video shows parking dispute that led to felony charge against Encinitas councilman
At NBC 7’s request, the court released video of a parking dispute between an Encinitas councilman and local developer.
What started out as an argument rose to the level of a felony criminal charge filed against Councilmember Luke Shaffer.
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The dispute between District 1 Councilman Shaffer and Encinitas developer Declan Caulfield was caught on doorbell camera. At first glance, those NBC 7 spoke with say at the very least, it is unbecoming behavior.
“I just want to see my elected officials acting responsibly,” resident Chuck Hodge said.
“The anger in general is just very concerning,” a Cardiff resident named Samantha said.
The dispute happened the day after the July Fourth holiday on Fifth Street near A Street, just above Moonlight Beach.
The video shows the councilman as he is trying to park his green pickup on A Street across from Caulfield’s home. He moved Caulfield’s trashcans away from a parking space. It escalates after Caulfield attempted to move them back.
The video seems to indicate Shaffer knocked over the recycle bin, and some Styrofoam went flying.
“It’s just very disconcerting to see someone in a position of power display it that way,” Hodge said.
According to the indictment, Shaffer allegedly told Caulfield he would never allow him a permit to build in Encinitas.
“I don’t think you would expect it. I think there might be other things out of context we don’t know,” Samantha said.
Shaffer returned to the truck and backed it up.
It’s not clear from the video what he hit, but the noise drew a lot of complaints from the workers at Caulfield’s home across the street.
“I don’t think we know from the video. I think we would definitely need more information,” Samantha said.
A spokesperson for Shaffer told NBC 7 that they are fine with the judge releasing the video. He says the video may not show the councilman in the best light, but he says it also doesn’t show him committing a felony.
The Encinitas councilmember is facing felony assault and dereliction of duty charges. At council last month, Shaffer denied the charges.
“False accusations will not distract me or deter me from the vital work of that the people of Encinitas elected me to do,” Shaffer said at the beginning of the meeting.
In a statement sent to NBC 7 by email, Caulfield’s attorney Marco Gonzalez said, “My client believes the video speaks for itself and does not wish to make a statement at this time.”
In the court of public opinion, the video doesn’t tell the whole story.
“I wish we had another angle so we could see, but I think the truck didn’t need to go as far back as it did,” Samantha said.
“It reflects bad judgement on his part. There is a bigger, larger society argument about how much we let parking rule our lives,“ Hodge said.
The video and the case is next in court on Nov. 13.
According to the indictment, Shaffer is charged with felony assault, and two misdemeanors, hit-and-run driving and willful omission to perform his duty as a councilmember.
If convicted on all counts, the councilman could face a five-year prison sentence.
