RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           CC: RAD Information Net

Day/date:  Wednesday, August 30, 1989

INCIDENTS

89-252 - Santa Monica Mountains (California) - Drug Lab /Arrests

As a result of continuing problems with drug labs in the park, surveillance
operations in Trancos Canyon and a joint investigation with DEA were begun
two weeks ago. On the night of the 28th, these efforts paid off with the
arrest of three adult males in the canyon on drug-related charges. The
suspects attempted to elude arrest, but were apprehended with the help of a
dog unit. Rangers and agents confiscated a Ford pickup truck (thought to be
stolen) and a Ford van, two cellular telephones, and four five-gallon
containers - three filled with finished PCP and the remaining two with ether
anhydrous, a PCP precursor. Participating DEA agents said that the drug
operation was unusually sophisticated. (Ernie Quintana, CR, SAMO, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RADAJRO).

89-253 - Great Smokies (Tennessee/North Carolina) - Marijuana Eradication

On the afternoon of the 26th, rangers from Cosby Subdistrict raided a
marijuana garden located within the park and eradicated 33 six-foot plants
valued at $82,000. Several containers of an unknown substance, probably
fertilizer, were also found in the area and have been sent out for analysis.
The garden's location was revealed by an anonymous tipster. (CompuServe
message from Pete Hart, CR, GRSM to RAD/SERO and RAD/WASO).

89-254 - Great Smokies (Tennessee/North Carolina) - Car Clouting Arrests

On August 27th, rangers arrested a man and woman who were suspects in a
recent car clout (break-in) in the park. Upon further investigation,
evidence was found which linked the pair to a number of other car clouts in
the park and surrounding areas in North Carolina and Tennessee. The couple
had a small child with them at the time of their arrest. Among the items
recovered from their van were a .44 derringer, believed to be stolen, and
several items which had been taken from a vehicle that had been broken into
in the park. (CompuServe message from Pete Hart, CR, GRSM to RAD/SERO and
RAD/WASO).

89-255 - Pershing Park (District of Columbia) - Assault; Arrestee Death

On the evening of the 25th, US Park Police officers received a report of a
nan attacking people in Pershing Park. When responding officers attempted
to place him under arrest, the man began to fight with them. He was
eventually controlled and handcuffed. While awaiting a transport vehicle,
the officers noticed that the man was beginning to have difficulty
breathing. Two officers immediately began CPR on him and continued until
they were relieved by a D.C. ambulance crew. The man was transported to
George Washington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. (CompuServe
message from Dave Blackburn, RAD/NCRO).

FIRE ACTIVITY

The NIFFC fire report is not available this morning.

STAFF STATUS

Hodapp on leave, Butts in Boise, Dabney at ARD/Operations conference in
Albuquerque. Andy Ringgold is acting chief, Ranger Activities.

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  FTS 343-4874/6039 or 202-343-4874/6039
Telefax:    FTS 343-5977 or 202-343-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER
SEAdog:     1/650 (Phone:343-6014; BAUD:2400)