Woman Arrested After Incident at Bellingham Fishermen’s Memorial

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham police arrested a woman Monday after an incident at the Fishermen’s Memorial in Zuanich Point Park, where crews were cleaning graffiti from the waterfront monument.

Whatcom County Jail records identify the woman as Cara M. Munoz. Officers booked her at 12:17 p.m. July 13 on allegations of second-degree malicious mischief, third-degree assault and resisting lawful arrest.

“What is that? You don’t want to respond? But that’s OK,” Munoz said while confronting workers restoring the memorial. “Are you going to do anything about the noose hanging above your head?”

Videos Show Confrontation at Memorial

City or Port of Bellingham crews were removing graffiti from the memorial when Munoz began recording workers Monday. The monument honors local commercial fishermen who died or disappeared while working at sea.

Before her arrest, Munoz posted several videos on social media. She claimed the rope in the bronze sculpture represented a white supremacist symbol rather than maritime equipment.

“That’s a noose,” Munoz said in one video. “That is a hate symbol by definition.”

The videos show Munoz circling the monument, questioning workers and recording the cleanup. At one point, she directed questions toward an employee standing near the statue.

Arrest Followed Police Response

A witness who contacted PNW Daily said police responded after Munoz allegedly confronted workers at the memorial. According to the witness, officers told Munoz they had probable cause to arrest her for second-degree malicious mischief.

The witness also alleged Munoz refused to leave her vehicle and spit at officers during the arrest. Officers then placed a spit hood over her, the witness said.

PNW Daily has not independently verified those claims. The Bellingham Police Department has not released its incident report or probable cause statement.

PNW Daily requested additional information from the department, including details about the alleged assault, the resisting arrest allegation and the use of a spit hood.

Jail Records List Three Allegations

Whatcom County Jail records show officers booked Munoz on allegations of second-degree malicious mischief, third-degree assault and resisting lawful arrest.

Police listed the assault and resisting arrest allegations under Bellingham Police case 26B39546. The malicious mischief allegation appears under case 26B39357.

Court records place all three allegations under Whatcom County Superior Court case 2610064237.

The jail released Munoz on personal recognizance at 4:57 p.m. July 14. The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will determine whether to file formal charges.

Memorial Vandalism Remains Under Investigation

Someone vandalized the Fishermen’s Memorial before crews began cleaning it Monday. Photos and videos from the site show graffiti and paint on portions of the monument.

Authorities have not publicly identified who damaged the memorial. Police also have not said whether they believe Munoz participated in the original vandalism.

The malicious mischief allegation involves property damage exceeding $750, according to the jail booking entry. However, police have not released facts connecting that allegation to any specific damage.

History of the Fishermen’s Memorial

The “Safe Return” memorial overlooks the entrance to Squalicum Harbor at Zuanich Point Park. It honors commercial fishermen from the Bellingham area who died or disappeared while working at sea.

Community leaders dedicated the 16-foot monument on Memorial Day, May 31, 1999. The Squalicum Harbor Fishermen’s Memorial Committee and the Whatcom Maritime Historical Society raised money for the project.

Retired physician and sculptor Dr. Eugene Fairbanks designed the memorial. His sculpture features an eight-foot bronze fisherman casting a mooring line as he returns to port.

The bronze figure stands atop a 19-ton block of red granite. Carved names honor local fishermen who never returned from the sea. Organizers have added more names since the monument’s dedication.

Relief panels around the base depict scenes from the region’s fishing history. Those images include Squalicum Harbor, commercial fishing vessels and Native American fishing traditions.

The Puget Sound Gillnetters Women’s Auxiliary dedicated a smaller wooden memorial at the site in 1975.

After the Lady of Good Voyage sank in the Bering Sea in 1993, community members renewed their push for a permanent monument. The sinking killed four local fishermen.

Their fundraising campaign ultimately led to the dedication of “Safe Return” in 1999.

PNW Daily will update this story when Bellingham police release additional information.

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