Battle Ground Police Chief Dennis Flynn issued a statement to The Reflector, sounding the alarm about threatening comments on social media regarding RV and trailer parking enforcement, including a threat encouraged by former mayor Philip Johnson.
Battle Ground municipal codes relating to RV and trailer parking can be summarized as follows: the storage of boats, recreational vehicles, and trailers must be out of view on private property. The enforcement of the municipal codes has been a hotly debated topic on Battle Ground-centric Facebook groups in recent months. Only this time, a concerned citizen submitted an anonymous news tip to The Reflector and to the Battle Ground Police Department, along with screenshots of a comment and responses on a Facebook post regarding the matter.
The original post from Dec. 29 states that a relative received a $250 fine and is unable to store a trailer in the backyard. The post states that the relative wants to know whether there will be a meeting at City Hall regarding trailer storage and related matters.
A comment by a Facebook account named Anthony DiRocco that has since appeared to have been deleted stated, “Guess it’s time to start burning government buildings and throwing rocks at cops.”
Philip Johnson, a former council member from 2012 to 2023 and former mayor of Battle Ground from 2016-2017 and 2022-2023, responded to the comment with encouragement.
“We’ll follow your lead, brother,” Johnson’s comment stated. “When do you expect to kick off the melee?”
Flynn was also made aware of the comments by a concerned citizen, he told The Reflector.
“The Battle Ground Police Department (BGPD) is aware of recent social media posts regarding enforcement of Battle Ground municipal codes related to RV and trailer parking (BGMC 17.133.030, 10.14.060, 17.135.057, and 17.135.150), purportedly made by a citizen and a former elected official,” Flynn said in his statement. “Washington law prohibits threats such as statements about ‘burning government buildings’ (RCW 9.61.160) and threats to use force, including comments about ‘throwing rocks at cops’ (RCW 9A.84.010). Based on our review, the posts appear to approach the legal threshold for potential violations.”
Flynn added that BGPD strongly encourages constitutional rights, including free speech, while emphasizing that threats and intimidation undermine community safety.
During the campaign trail for the most recent election that saw Johnson attempt to return to city council, the Clark County Republican Party (CCRP) Central Committee formally voted to oppose his run for city council.
“Philip Johnson has repeatedly undermined fellow Republicans by taking out negative ads against candidates from within his own party,” said Matthew Bumala, chair of the CCRP, in a news release from July 2025.
The CCRP's summer news release stated that his actions at the time were incompatible with the values and unity expected of Republican-affiliated leaders in Clark County. Bumala’s statement added that the negative ads were divisive, counterproductive and damaging to the broader conservative movement in the region.
Flynn added in his statement that individuals with concerns regarding municipal codes can be addressed through city management and/or the city council, which was demonstrated at the Monday, Jan. 5 Battle Ground City Council meeting.
A news release by the city states that the city council approved a temporary moratorium on enforcement related to recreational vehicles, trailers and boats parked or stored on private property.
“This action followed public testimony received during the meeting and allows time for the city to review the existing code and consider whether updates may be appropriate,” the release states. “No changes have been made to the code at this time and no action is required by residents while the review is underway. Residents with an active code enforcement case on this topic — issued since October 2025 — will receive a letter providing updated information.”
The city council is scheduled to review municipal code 17.135.150 at a 6 p.m. study session ahead of its regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 2.
“Battle Ground is a remarkable community,” Flynn concluded. “By working together respectfully, we can address concerns constructively and preserve what makes it an exceptional place to live, work and enjoy.”
