02-065
Blue Ridge Parkway
Follow-up on Drag Racing Incident
On March 16, rangers from the Ridge District began a surveillance operation in the James River area after having received information on drag racing at that location. Shortly after midnight, several vehicles arrived at the designated area and proceeded to drag race across the James River bridge. The rangers left their observation posts, stopped the vehicles, and detained and identified drivers, passengers, and spectators. A total of ten vehicles and twenty people were involved. The event was well organized, with designated flaggers and lookouts. Inspection of the vehicles showed that several were outfitted with nitrous oxide systems. Several of the drivers attempted to flee when the rangers identified themselves. Rangers Gene Parker and Zeph Cunningham were almost struck by cars as they attempted to stop them. The incident led to the filing of numerous charges against the participants. On October 10 and 15, six of them entered guilty please under plea agreements and received the following sentences:
- S.R. - Pled guilty to a state charge of drag racing. Instead of forfeiting his vehicle, he agreed to pay $10,000 in restitution to the park. His operator's permit was revoked for six months.
- S.T. - Pled guilty to a state charge of drag racing. She was fined $500 and lost her operators permit for six months.
- D.R. - Pled guilty to a state charge of drag racing. He was fined $500 and lost his operators permit for six months.
- J.C. - Pled guilty to a state charge of drag racing. Instead of forfeiting his vehicle, he agreed to pay $1,500 in restitution to the park and lost his operator's permit for six months.
- D.T. - Pled guilty to a state charge of drag racing. Instead of forfeiting his vehicle, he agreed to pay $1,100 in restitution to the park and lost his operator's permit for six months.
- J.L. - Pled guilty to improper driving and was fined $500.
The magistrate advised all the defendants that they would face jail
time if ever charged with any traffic violation in the park at any time
in the future. Ranger Kathryn Brett was lead investigator in this case.
[Submitted by John Garrison, Law Enforcement Specialist]
02-548
Canyonlands National Park (UT)
Car Clout Arrest
On the morning of October 14, rangers arrested R.G., 47,
of Sedona, Arizona, for breaking into a vehicle near the Elephant Hill
parking area in the Needles District of the park. Rangers Kevin Moore,
Michelle Busbee and Rich Perch had responded to an alarm that was
activated on a decoy vehicle that had been placed in the Elephant Hill
parking lot in the Needles District, which had been plagued by a series
of car clouts that began in July, 2001. San Juan County Sheriff's Office
deputies Jaren Adams and Grayson Redd also responded from the town of
Monticello, about one hour away. At about 2 a.m., Moore and Busbee
surprised R.G. as he was walking out the Elephant Hill access road
in the dark. R.G. attempted to flee, but lost a footrace with the
rangers and was taken into custody after a brief scuffle. He was
carrying burglary tools and had stolen credit cards and almost $1000 in
cash in his pockets. R.G. was turned over to the county deputies and
has been charged with auto burglary, possession of stolen credit cards,
possession of burglary tools, theft and resisting arrest. Other federal
charges my also be filed. R.G. has two outstanding warrants from La
Plata County, Colorado, both for burglary offenses. La Plata County
intends to seek extradition from Utah. R.G. has an extensive history
of arrest and incarceration for theft offenses. He was last released
from prison in May, 2001. This arrest marked the culmination of a
15-month-long investigation conducted jointly by the NPS, BLM and San
Juan County Sheriff's Office. An investigation is ongoing to connect
this suspect with similar car clouts in the Needles District and other
areas in the Four Corners region. In previous incidents, vehicles had
been entered using a pry tool on doors, with little or no evidence of
tampering. Usually, only cash or credit cards were taken and other items
were left undisturbed. Other park units that have had similar incidents
are asked to contact either Michelle Busbee or Rich Perch at
435-259-8859.
[Submitted by Peter Fitzmaurice, Chief
Ranger]
02-549
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Drug Seizure
Rangers discovered evidence of narcotics backpackers entering the
U.S. in a remote wilderness area of the park last week. The group was
tracked about seven miles across the desert to the western slope of the
Sierra De Santa Rosa Mountains, where they were found hiding in a wash.
Three of them were apprehended along with five backpacks containing 220
pounds of marijuana. The homemade backpacks were made from sugar sacks
and spray painted black. An elite group of Customs officers known as the
"Shadow Wolves" - renowned for their skills in tracking - assisted in
the case. The members of this group of Native Americans are
world-renowned for their tracking skills. They work closely with park
rangers along the border, sharing their knowledge and skills in drug
interdiction operations. Air support was provided by an Arizona ANG
helicopter and a Customs Blackhawk helicopter.
[Submitted by
Bo Stone, Park Ranger]
02-550
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (CA)
Successful Intervention in Attempted Suicide
On October 3, the park got a call from a local police dispatcher who
said that a woman had phoned them and reported that she'd received a
call from a 39-year-old family member who was at the park's Oak Bottom
Campground, threatening suicide. A few minutes later, the man's mental
health counselor also called and said that he believed that the man was
quite serious. A seasonal ranger and the park's special agent found him
sitting in his car with a section of tubing taped over an open window
and connected to the car's exhaust. He refused to get out of the car, so
was forcibly removed and placed in protective custody. He was taken to a
local mental health facility without further incident.
[Submitted by Alan Foster, Special Agent]
02-551
Canyonlands National Park (UT)
Water Intoxication Victim; Life Saved
On the afternoon of September 23, rangers were notified that a
56-year-old male mountain biker on a multiple-day backcountry bike trip
was suffering serious medical problems - illness, vomiting, diminished
consciousness and inability to urinate - on the remote White Rim Road. A
medical helicopter was dispatched and flew him to Grand Junction,
Colorado. Doctors determined that the man had drunk about two gallons of
water during his morning ride and was suffering from water intoxication,
which probably would have been fatal without rapid transport, clinical
evaluation, and follow-up treatment. The rescue was facilitated by a
biking party with a mobile telephone and GPS unit that was also in the
backcountry. (Note: Water intoxication occurs when a person swallows
enough water to significantly lower the concentration of salt in his/her
blood. The causes the brain to swell, which in turn produces a decreased
level of consciousness progressing from lethargy to stupor to coma).
[Submitted by Steve Swanke, Incident Commander]
02-552
Canaveral National Seashore (FL)
Special Operation to Counter Public Lewdness on Beach
In response to visitor complaints of lewd acts occurring on the
park's beach, rangers from both districts conducted intermittent plain
clothes operations for a two month period. These operations resulted in
the issuance of 41 citations for disorderly conduct (public sex acts and
obscene acts), public intoxication and possession of controlled
substances. Most of the citations were issued in areas frequented by
nude sunbathers.
[Submitted by Eric Lugo, Law Enforcement
Specialist]
02-553
Valley Forge National Historical Park (PA)
Arson; Soldier Hut Burns to Ground
A fire occurred in one of the park's reconstructed soldier huts
around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15. The fire was in the loft when
ranger Mike Erwin arrived; but the time local fire departments reached
the scene, the building was completely engulfed in flames. It was a
total loss. The fire's point of origin and the presence of an incendiary
device at the scene both indicate that the fire was deliberately set.
The loss is estimated at about $25,000.
[Submitted by Doug
Germeraad, Assistant Chief Ranger]
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Zion National Park (UT)
Park Fire Situation
The park will be igniting the 4,400-acre Clear Trap Rx Fire this week on the east side of the park near Zion Ponderosa Ranch. The fire will burn actively for three to five days, then possibly smolder for weeks. It will be closely monitored by park staff until it is declared out. The objectives for this prescribed fire are to provide protection to surrounding property and structures, reduce fuel loads, and increase the success of remaining ponderosa pine forests to withstand natural fires. Smoky conditions are expected, and trails in the vicinity of the burn will be temporarily closed - including the East Rim Trail system.
[Submitted by David Eaker, Fire Information Specialist]
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.