Pacific Paranormal Investigations

Pacific Paranormal Investigations (PPI) is an American non-profit paranormal research organization that is based in San Diego, California and was founded in 2005. Like several other ghost-hunting groups, PPI investigates reportedly haunted locations and alleged paranormal phenomena around California.
History
In 2005, PPI began as a non-profit organization of investigators and researchers seeking to assist those who are troubled or curious about experiences and phenomena that they believe are paranormal. The group obtained TAPS Family status in January 2007. Later that same year, PPI expanded in order to cover a broader service area: by January 2008, Pacific Paranormal Los Angeles (PPI LA) was maintaining its own caseload. While further plans were under consideration to begin Pacific Paranormal San Francisco (PPI SF), the PPI LA team seceded in April 2008 to become TAPS West and PPI scaled back its operations to cover its original non-commercial service area once again. PPI now continues to provide outreach services based out of El Cajon, California. Co-founder Glenn Pitcher, who had served as President of PPI since September 2008, died on March 2, 2009. PPI is currently lead by Karl Sherlock (President and Co-Director) and Brian Miller (Co-Director and Tech Manager).
Other paranormal investigation groups that operate in California with similar names but are not affiliated to PPI are the Pacific Paranormal Society (Parlier, CA), Pacific Paranormal Ghost Hunters (San Diego, CA), and Northern Pacific Paranormal Investigation (Sacramento, CA).
Mission and methodologies
The group currently subscribes to the motto "Investigate. Evaluate. Educate." Its not-for-profit status a primary feature of its identity, PPI's mission is to offer assistive outreach services that remain confidential and free of charge, as well as to conduct studies and experiments in the field of paranormal research that steer clear of pseudoscience by emphasizing the collection of data instead of evidence. Data collection utilizes a range of equipment, including environmental monitoring equipment (such as EMF meters, Geiger counters, anemometers, and thermocouple devices), surveillance technology, and digital audio and video recorders. Although PPI is a registered TAPS Family organization and several former members have appeared in television shows and conventions, PPI is not currently affiliated with any production company or media program. Instead, the group's grassroots efforts to educate are its main interest. It claims a rigorous adherence to the scientific method, a skeptical evaluation of data and evidence, stringent peer review of its findings and methodologies, and an education for its clients about rational and ordinary sources for phenomena perceived as paranormal.
Organization
As a volunteer organization, the group management hierarchy consists of Directors and a President. Its charter honors a diversity pledge as well as a set of voted by-laws, and it maintains a schedule of monthly meetings. Departments include Case Management, Report Development, Case Research, Tech and Equipment, and Projects. A full explanation of these is available on its website.
Internet presence
Pacific Paranormal Investigations is listed on the official website of The Atlantic Paranormal Society as an authorized TAPS Family member and maintains a website of interactive content in accordance with its mission to evaluate and educate. Additionally, it offers a forum where mediated discussion of a variety of paranormal topics occurs. The group also has its own pages on social networking sites MySpace and Facebook.
Criticism
Under its charter, PPI acknowledges criticism of the qualifications of paranormal investigators to determine "proof of haunting." However, PPI is resolute not to confuse an attitude of skepticism with a temperament of cynicism. Like many other reputable paranormal investigation groups (including those registered as TAPS Family members), PPI defers to the scientific method and remains vigilant to bias and conflict of interest in its interpretation of the collected evidence by endeavoring to provide proof against haunting but with resignation to any facts it does not have the acumen to explain. The group also acknowledges sometimes valid criticisms of paranormal tourism, particularly when the results of their investigations are skewed to enhance the "product" of proprietary investigating. While PPI, itself, does not participate in paranormal tourism, it supports the right of paranormal investigation groups to fund their efforts and defray their costs of operation through nominally profitable ventures like paranormal tours. Furthermore, it is sympathetic to the idea that paranormal entertainment cultivates a popular interest in paranormal phenomena that makes possible scientifically supported studies by reputable researchers—that is, as long as a clear demarcation between these two arenas is fully disclosed.
Members
Claiming a commitment to diversity in background and skill sets (chief among these being critical thinking), PPI gathered its team from a pool of educators, library researchers, criminal investigators, technicians, and writers. While the group continues to expand its membership, its current members include:
*Karl Sherlock - President / Co-Director
*Brian Miller - Co-Director
*Lillie Chase - Investigator
*Gary Eidsmoe - IT Support, Investigator
*Tracy Evans - PPI Liaison to TAPS West Coast
*Damian LoVecchio - Investigator
*Tim Mountain - Case Management/Librarian, Lead Investigator
*Debra Page - Consultant
*Jason Sieckman - Case Management/Tech, Lead Investigator
;Reserve Investigators
*Brenna Craft
*Brigham Toskin

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