02-474
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park (CO)
Follow-up on Search for Visitor
The body of 49-year-old M.L. was found at the bottom of
Chasm View on the park's steep and rugged north rim shortly before noon
on September 19. M.L. was reported missing on September 16 and had
been the subject of a search that involved air-scent dogs, a helicopter
and a 15-person NPS search team. A technical rock climbing team was
dispatched to the area on September 19 to descend Cruise Gully. Crew
members discovered M.L.'s body. It's estimated that he fell about
2,000 feet.
[Submitted by Phil Zichterman, Public Information
Officer, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP]
02-483
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Felony Theft Indictment
On September 18, O.P. was indicted on one felony count of theft
(18 USC 661) by a federal grand jury in Cheyenne. The charge stemmed
from an investigation that began last June when Old Faithful rangers and
park special agents learned of the theft of $4,000 from the upper
Hamilton Store. Hamilton Stores had exhausted all possible accounting
explanations for the missing money before contacting park law
enforcement. The excellent auditing procedures used by Hamilton Stores,
coupled with outstanding cooperation by store employees, allowed the
investigation to move forward quickly. O.P. was identified as a suspect
and ultimately confessed to the crime. O.P. was working as an armed
guard for Security Armored Express of Bozeman, Montana, when he made a
delivery to the store. While there, he distracted a store employee for a
few moments and stole the money. Following his confession, O.P.
returned a combination of cash and property worth about $2,000, saying
that the remainder had already been spent on items such as restaurant
bills. Old Faithful rangers conducted most of the field investigation;
assistance was provided by Bozeman PD.
[Submitted by
Chief Rangers Office, Yellowstone NP]
02-484
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (OR)
Archeological Vandalism Conviction
02-484 - John Day Fossil Beds NM (OR) - Archeological Vandalism Conviction
While driving home from work on February 25, superintendent Jim
Hammett came upon three people in the process of spray-painting their
names on the basalt wall of Picture Gorge, seriously damaging several of
the park's pictographs. He was able to get them to voluntarily identify
themselves, and commandeered their spray paint can. An investigation and
interviews were conducted jointly by criminal investigator Clay Butler
and Oregon State Police trooopers. Because the park has proprietary
jurisdiction and the exact boundaries of the right-of-way of the state
road could not be determined, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Portland
could not prosecute under ARPA. Instead, the county DA filed felony
criminal mischief charges under state codes. On September 19, A.M.,
31, of East Point, Oregon, and D.W., 52, of Bend,
Oregon, each pled guilty to a single count of misdemeanor criminal
mischief. They were placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to
write letters of apology to the affected Indian tribes and to the park.
They were also ordered to pay the NPS $13,335.52 to cover the cost of
restoration of the site, which was completed under contract this past
June. A plea hearing for S.W., 27, the third person charged, will
be held later in October.
[Submitted by Jim Hammett,
Superintendent, John Day Fossil Beds NM]
02-485
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (TX)
Vandalism and Gang-Related Activity
The park has been experiencing a rash of gang-related activity over
the past week. On September 15, the area around the park's historic
aqueduct was vandalized; construction equipment was destroyed and
graffiti was spray-painted on curbs and historic monuments. On Tuesday,
two stripped stolen vehicles were found in the same general area. A
joint city-county gang task force advised the park that a member of the
"Mexican Mafia" was arrested at the aqueduct on Saturday night, and that
of his compatriots had fled on foot. The Mexican Mafia is considered to
be one of the most dangerous gangs in San Antonio. The park, which is a
member of the Texas Gang Investigators Association, is working with the
gang task force to eliminate nighttime gang activity in the park.
[Submitted by Dan Steed, Chief Ranger, San Antonio Missions
NHP]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Northeast Region
Manager, Park Planning and Legislation
Dates: 09/23/2005 - 10/04/2005
The Northeast Region is recruiting a Manager for their Park Planning and Legislation Group. This is a GS-0340-13 supervisory position duty stationed in Philadelphia. See job announcement GETT-02-28DEU on www.usajobs.opm.gov or MAR0-02-37 for the Merit System announcement. Both close on 10/4/02.
[Submitted by Joe DiBello, joe_dibello@nps.gov, 215-597-1581] More Information...
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.