Embattled Arcata City Councilmember Brett Watson was arrested shortly after 1 p.m. Monday for violating the terms of a restraining order against him.

Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn tells the Outpost that he was arrested around 1:30 for having communication with one of the people protected by the order. He declined to give any further details.

Reached by phone, Watson said he was arrested at his home and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional facility and released after a couple of hours on $25,000 bail.

Watson said the prohibited communication consisted of cc’ing Mayor Stacy Atkins-Salazar when he was replying to a constituent.

“On Saturday a constituent emailed me and asked for an update on the hotels in Valley West that are being converted into housing for low-income and homeless people,” he said. In his emailed reply, Watson recommended that the constituent contact the city manager, “and I [wrote], ‘I’m also cc’ing Mayor Stacy Atkins-Salazar on this email so she’s in the loop,’” he added.

“It didn’t cross my mind” that this was a violation of the restraining order, Watson said. “I’m, like, just doing my job as a city council member. I was more focused on [staying] 100 yards away and not going to city hall.”

A Humboldt County Superior Court judge granted the restraining order last week. It restricts Watson’s access to City Hall and prohibits him from contacting or being within 100 yards of four city officials, their workplaces and vehicles, with the exception of Arcata City Council meetings.

“It is such an overreaction,” Watson said. “So not necessary. They could have just let me know.” 

Watson’s arrest was first reported by KMUD News. His court hearing has been set for December 5, Watson said.